Millet makeover: Coarse grains, women SHGs get new identity in Chhattisgarh

The state government has taken a slew of measures to encourage farmers to produce millets

Rohini Patnaik, member of a self-help group (SHG) that runs Chhattisgarh’s maiden Millet Café, never imagined that a pizza or manchurian made of millet would suit the taste buds of the millennials.  

Thanks to the Millet Mission of Chhattisgarh, the coarse grains — once considered cheap — have not only got a new identity but are also empowering women economically. Run by members of a women SHG, the state’s first Millet Cafe in Raigarh city was set up with the initial support of the district administration. 

The café has now turned profitable, claim SHG members Veena Miri and Rameshwari Yadav. “We are