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COMPENDIUM, IEEC-2023   ( ISBN : 978-81-967860-4-5 )
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Theme- 6: Community based Farming System for Nutrition - Achieving Nutritional Security for the Farm Families and Community

Millet Cultivation and Its Impact on Awareness and Consumption

Alam Prashanthi, R. Geetha Reddy and Khushboo Yadav

Dept. of Extension Education & Communication Management, College of Community Science, Near Telephone Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad, 500004
prashu.alam@gmail.com

Abstract

Millet grains, a group of small-seeded grasses, have been staple crops in various parts of the world for centuries. Millets, which are high in essential nutrients including protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, have the potential to alleviate malnutrition and improve food security. Millet production also uses fewer resources, such as water and fertilizers, making it an environmentally viable alternative in the face of climate change and resource restrictions. However, in recent decades, these nutrient-rich grains have experienced a decline in cultivation and consumption due to the global shift towards cereal crops like wheat and rice. This abstract highlights the growing importance of millet cultivation and its profound impact on both awareness and consumption of these underutilized grains. Data was collected from a total sample of 89 farmers using an interview schedule. The results revealed that nearly half of the respondents in the age group of 34-49 years (48.3%) were illiterates (38.2%) and had small landholding (42.7%). Also, it was found that the majority of the respondents (92.1%) were consuming millets, with Jowar (88.8%) and Ragi (68.5%) being the most commonly consumed millets. The correlation analysis revealed that millet cultivation had a positive and significant relationship with Landholding (P<0.01), Experience ((P<0.01) and Millet Awareness (P<0.05), whereas Millet Awareness had a positive and significant relationship with consumption (p<0.01). It can be concluded that promoting millet cultivation among farmers has the potential to directly enhance millet consumption. Therefore, the government should provide awareness campaigns, schemes, and policies to support the farmers in millet cultivation. A holistic approach needs to be developed to increase millet production and consumption in the country.

IEEC-2023 at RARI (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan organised by Society of Extension Education, Agra, India