Koraput: Poverty forced her to abandon school at a tender age, replacing books and notebooks with farming tools. While children of her age were learning alphabets, she was toiling in agricultural fields to support her family. Decades later, that same journey from hardship to hope has earned her national and international recognition, including honorary doctorates, proving that determination and grassroots wisdom can redefine success beyond formal education.
This inspiring story belongs to Mandia Rani Raimati Ghiuria, a tribal woman farmer from Nuaguda village under Lima Panchayat in Kundura block of Koraput district, who has become a symbol of millet revival, women empowerment and sustainable agriculture in Odisha and beyond.
Early Struggles Shaped a Lifelong Bond With Farming
Raimati Ghiuria studied only up to Class V or VI before poverty compelled her to leave school. From childhood, she accompanied her parents to agricultural fields and later worked as a daily wage labourer at various places. Despite years of hardship, her connection with the soil grew stronger, especially her interest in finger millet (mandia) cultivation.
At a time when many farmers were shifting away from millet farming due to low market demand and lack of institutional support, Raimati made a bold decision—to revive millet cultivation instead of abandoning it. She began collecting and conserving indigenous seeds and established a seed bank in her village, laying the foundation for a movement that would later inspire thousands.
Reviving Millets, Empowering Communities
What started as an individual effort gradually turned into a large-scale initiative. Today, more than 2,000 farmers—both women and men—are associated with her millet network, along with several traders. Raimati also serves as a director in a mandi (market committee), ensuring farmers get fair prices for their produce.
Her efforts received a major boost after the launch of Odisha Millet Mission, under which she received institutional support and was allotted a mandi to sell produce directly. Seeing millets regain importance filled her with renewed confidence and purpose.
From ‘Mandia Rani’ to ‘Millet Queen’
Raimati’s work soon caught the attention of government officials. She was invited to Bhubaneswar on Millet Day, where she was formally conferred the title “Mandia Rani” (Millet Queen)—a turning point in her life. From there, her journey gained momentum.
She went on to represent grassroots farmers at several national and international platforms, including the G20 Summit, where she was honoured as the “Millet Queen” for her contribution to millet promotion and food security.
Honorary Doctorates and National Recognition
Despite limited formal education, Raimati Ghiuria’s deep knowledge of agriculture earned her the highest academic honours. She was awarded an honorary doctorate by OUAT, Bhubaneswar, followed by another from Berhampur University. She has also been honoured with a doctorate conferred by the President of India, making her journey truly exceptional.
She once believed that only those who studied extensively could become doctors. Receiving a doctorate through her work in agriculture was a moment of immense pride and joy, symbolising the power of lived knowledge and experience.
Preserving Indigenous Seeds and Reaching Global Markets
Mandia Rani currently produces around 20 quintals of millet from her own farmland, used for both household consumption and market sales. Her produce has reached markets across India and abroad, with annual exports ranging between 20 and 40 quintals.
She has successfully cultivated and conserved 72 indigenous rice varieties and 30 millet varieties, many of which were on the verge of extinction. Trained in organic farming at the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Jeypore, she revived traditional farming practices through sustainable and chemical-free cultivation.
Inspiration for Women and Future Farmers
Raimati Ghiuria belongs to the Bhumia tribal community and has emerged as a powerful role model for rural women. Inspired by her journey, many women in Koraput have achieved financial independence through millet farming. She has trained numerous men and women in advanced millet cultivation techniques, seed conservation and organic practices.
Her message is simple yet powerful: with determination and the right approach, millet farming can take farmers to national and global markets while ensuring nutrition, sustainability and dignity.
Today, Mandia Rani Raimati Ghiuria stands not just as a successful farmer, but as a guiding force in India’s millet movement, proving that resilience, traditional wisdom and community-driven agriculture can transform lives.
