Kalaburagi Rotti: Women Empowerment & Millets Revival

Kalaburagi: In Kotnoor village, 35-year-old Nirmala now relies on a machine to mass-produce rottis, doubling her efficiency. She is among 100 women in the taluk benefiting from the Karnataka government’s Kalaburagi Rotti initiative, which promotes millet-based food and empowers women entrepreneurs.

With 90% of Kalaburagi’s farmland rainfed, jowar and bajra were once staples. However, urbanization shifted preferences to rice and wheat. To reverse this trend, Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum spearheaded the branding of Kalaburagi Rotti, integrating it into food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy. The initiative, launched in March 2024, has distributed 150 roti-making machines at subsidized rates, helping women earn up to ₹30,000 per month.

The government procures each rotti at ₹6, aiming for 4,000-5,000 units monthly. Future plans include exports to the US and UK, along with a quick-commerce app for doorstep delivery. The initiative aligns with PM Formalization of Micro Food Enterprises and PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, supporting millet-based nutrition.

Joint Director of Agriculture Samad Patel emphasized the need to strengthen logistics before expanding. Meanwhile, Taranum’s efforts have earned her the Excellence in Governance Award 2024. She expressed joy at the success, noting that women collectives now have steady income, orders, and profits.

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