State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 17 Oct 2025

MP to Procure Kodo-Kutki for First Time

Why in News? 

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet decided to procure kodo and kutki (Millets) from farmers in major millet-producing districts for the first time.  

Key Points 

• About: The procurement of Kodo and Kutki will be carried out under the 'Rani Durgavati Shree-Ann Protsahan Yojana'. 
  • Procurement will prioritise major production districts such as Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Dindori, Chhindwara, Shahdol, Anuppur, Umaria, Rewa, Sidhi, and Singrauli, with other districts considered based on demand. 
• Agency: Shri Ann Consortium of Farmer-Producer Company Limited (Shri Ann Federation) will handle the procurement. 
  • The federation will procure around 30,000 metric tonnes of millets, with Kutki priced at Rs 3,500 per quintal and Kodo at Rs 2,500 per quintal. 
• Financial Support: The Shri Ann Federation will receive an interest-free loan of Rs 80 crore from the State's Price Stabilisation Fund. 
• Farmer Incentives: An incentive of Rs 1,000 per quintal will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to farmers' bank accounts. 
• Kodu and Kutki: 
  • Kodo and Kutki are types of millet, with the botanical names Paspalum scrobiculatum and Panicum sumatrense, respectively. 
  • Both grains can be consumed in a similar manner to rice. 
  • Kodo contains 8.3 grams of protein per 100 grams, while Kutki contains 7.7 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Rani Durgavati Shree-Ann Protsahan Yojana 

• Objective: The Rani Durgavati Shree-Ann Protsahan Yojana aims to support millet (Shree-Ann) producing farmers by ensuring fair prices for their products, thereby encouraging more farmers to engage in millet production.  
  • The scheme also aims to provide additional incentives and enhance the marketing and branding of millets, particularly Kodo and Kutki, to establish a distinct identity for these products at both national and international levels. 
• Procurement and Support: The state government and federation procure Kodo and Kutki from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP), with an additional Rs 1,000 per quintal provided via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). 
• Capacity Building and Marketing: The scheme focuses on building the capacity of millet farmers, promoting specialised packaging and branding activities for Kodo and Kutki, and establishing a better marketing system to ensure fair prices for their produce. 
• Formation of Federation: Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and groups involved in millet cultivation, processing, and marketing are organised into a state-level federation.  
  • This federation facilitates the development of a value chain for millets and increases the income of farmers involved in Kodo and Kutki cultivation. 
• Governance and Monitoring: The scheme is governed under the Companies Act of 2013, with the federation being formed as a company. 
  • A robust monitoring mechanism will be established under the Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Development Department, with senior officials ensuring proper implementation, regular evaluation, and resolving stakeholder issues. 

5th Edition of Samudra Shakti

Why in News? 

The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the bilateral maritime exercise Samudra Shakti with the Indonesian Navy from 14th to 17th October in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points 

• About: The joint exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime cooperation between the two nations through a series of professional and operational engagements, both at sea and ashore. 
• Participating Units: 
  • INS Kavaratti: An anti-submarine warfare corvette from the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy. 
  • KRI John Lie: A corvette from the Indonesian Navy, equipped with an integral helicopter. 
• Harbour Phase: The harbour phase includes activities such as cross-deck visits, joint yoga sessions, friendly sports events, and professional exchanges under the Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programme, all aimed at fostering professional interaction and camaraderie between the naval personnel of both nations. 
• Sea Phase: The sea phase will feature complex and high-tempo maritime operations aimed at improving tactical coordination between the two navies. These operations will include Helicopter manoeuvres, Air defence exercises, Weapon firing drills and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations. 
• Significance: The exercise highlights the shared commitment of both nations towards maintaining stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Other Military Exercises between India and Indonesia: Garuda Shakti, IND-INDO CORPAT