GOLAGHAT: In recent times, women have been driving the much-needed change in the Indian dietary space. Munme Saikia Gogoi from Salikihat, Da-Barahi village under Furkating ADO Circle has managed to become self-reliant by taking up millet cultivation through integrated farming methods as part of a livelihood initiative.
Munme said, “I got success with the help, support and assistance provided by the District Agriculture Office, Golaghat; Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khumtai; World Bank-funded APART Project and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati. The trainings and workshops provided to me by the District Agriculture Office of Golaghat; Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat; Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khumtai; World Bank-funded APART Project; Centre of Excellence for Nutri-Cereals (Millets), University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati were highly focused and helped increase my knowledge in connection with millets farming, processing and value addition. It is great working with agricultural professors, officers, industry experts and like-minded individuals. I am also grateful to the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat, Dr P. Uday Praveen for his inspirational and boosting notes.”
Munme is one such milletpreneur who was influenced by the District Agricultural Officer, Golaghat, Ranjit Kr. Sarmah; Senior Scientist & Head: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khumtai, Dr Bhabesh Chandra Deka; Assistant Director of Agriculture, Golaghat, Krishna Ranjan Saikia; and other officers who exposed her to the goodness of millets.
More than the commercial angle is the social impact aspect which the milletpreneur Munme Saikia Gogoi said is important for her in providing good food to people. She single-handedly makes valued-added products from millets using various major millets, minor millets, brown rice and pulses in her products under the brand name ‘Munme Organic Hub’.
“What people have been giving their children unknowingly is slow poison, which will damage their health in the long run. My primary agenda is to create a product which would be viable and not be a burden on the customer and myself,” she said. She is also planning to launch millet-based kits for diabetic and obese people, an immunity-booster kit in the coming days. Reports said that finger millet is much in demand as it is beneficial for health due to presence of calcium, iron and fibre in the food grain. It is also free from gluten, stated a press release.
Also Watch: