A review on problem and prospects of millets production in India
Author(s): Hanuwant Singh, Sirigi Reddy Divya Vani, Mantramurthy Sri Datha and Sudarshna Kumari
Abstract: Millet crops are small grain cereal crop beside rice, wheat and barley and are rich source of proteins, nutrients, minerals, organic compounds which are important to overcome food insecurity, malnutrition, and several common and lethal diseases. However, despite its enormous potential, India's millet production still faces a number of problems such as poor research and development, lack of high yielding varieties, labour intensive and low productivity and lower minimum spot price (MSP) and unfavourable government policies that must be assured to overcome guarantee its continued expansion. Additionally, the government can be very helpful in helping smallholder farmers boost their productivity and output by giving them financial and technical support. As a result, the review looks at the adoption and development of millet cultivation as well as its key constraints. The assessment also emphasised the potential for expanding millet farming. Increasing governmental and private funding for research and extension services, boosting farmer associations and market connections, endorsing millet-based goods and value chains, and incorporating millets into the country's food policy are some of these. The review concluded that millets could assist achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and promote fair and sustainable agricultural expansion, which would enhance the availability of nutritious foods worldwide. However, realising this opportunity will call for coordinated efforts from several stakeholders, such as legislators, academics, and farmers.
