The ragi finger millet Mandia in local parlance farmers in Koraput district of Odisha have a reason to celebrate as they have recorded a bumper crop this season surpassing the seven-year high official sources said on Monday. Also ReadChamomile cultivation to boost economy of Kotia tribals in Odisha After meeting their goals the district administration has initiated direct transfers of funds to farmers accounts providing them with necessary financial support. This productive season has sparked increased enthusiasm among local farmers for expanding ragi cultivation in subsequent planting cycles. Koraput has achieved an unparalleled benchmark by harvesting the highest volume of ragi within the specified timeframe as compared to previous years. This success is attributed to the State governments Shree Anna scheme actively supporting local ragi farmers. The local farmers initially received incentive payments followed by substantial procurement through 21 agricultural cooperatives spread across 14 blocks in the district accumulating a commendable 139875 quintals of ragi. The farmers have expressed their appreciation towards the district administration hopeful of embracing and broadening their ragi farming endeavours. The varied uses of ragi today including its incorporation in biscuits and laddu have notably driven its demand higher in the markets across Odisha and outside. A total of 14574 farmers have benefited from the cash incentive pegged at the minimum support price with an additional rate of Rs 45 per kilogram. Plans are underway to explore international markets for the surplus ragi potentially unlocking further economic prospects overseas a senior official expressed. This extraordinary achievement not only secures a promising future for the districts farmers but is expected to encourage wider adoption of ragi cultivation in the region reaffirming its economic and nutritional significance. Local farmers narrate their success story ldquoWe have harvested a good quantity of ragi this year. Mandi arrangements made by the State government were quite appreciable. If we continuously receive governmental support in the coming years and the climatic conditions remain unchanged we will be more encouraged to cultivate this croprdquo a local ragi farmer Surendra Masti said to OTV. Must ReadOdisharsquos strawberry revolution Tribal farmers find new fortunes ldquoI had cultivated ragi in an acre of land and sold around 16 packets in the mandi. I have kept only two packets for my familyrsquos consumption and one more as seeds. I got a good price at the rate of Rs 45 including Rs 2 bonusrdquo another local farmer Bhima Gauda stated.