Raipur: Millets production and procurement has recently gained momentum as Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appreciated the Millet cafe initiative during chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s recent Delhi visit. However, a very few know about the state’s first Millet cafe in Raigarh which started in May 2022.

The cafe was opened with the efforts of the then collector Bhim Singh, currently serving as the CEO of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority.

“Millets are highly nutritious and highly neglected. Thus, an integrated approach with multi-departmental convergence is key for achieving millets promotion,” Bhim Singh said.

The daily footfall of this cafe is 50 on weekdays and 70 on weekends. Health-conscious communities, foodies, bloggers are their primary customers.

The most popular recipes here include millet cheela and dosa, millet momos, millet pizza, millet Manchurian and Kodo Biryani.

In less than one year, the cafe has already reached a break-even point and is moving towards a profitable business.

For popularising the cafe, a lot of new experiments are being done and a recipe book of all these unique recipes is being shared in other parts of the state and the country.

Recently, to promote it, millet delicacies were served in Vidhan Sabha as well.

This cafe was opened in collaboration with the Transforming Rural India Foundation, the district administration and Woman and Child Development Department provided administrative support. Now, it is run by Vilkas Mahila Kshetra Singh (VMKS).

An integrated project was implemented focusing on awareness among the farmers, capacity building for the usage of Sri Vidhi technique for millet by the Women and Child Development Department from the farmers and its inclusion in Integrated Child Development Services’ Ready-to-Eat Packets and Take-Home Ration was also promoted.