A Study on Constraints Faced by Millet Stakeholders in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Millets, highly nutritious grains, are crucial for food security and nutrition due to their resilience in challenging agricultural conditions and rich nutritional content. This study investigates the constraints faced by stakeholders involved in the millet industry in Tamil Nadu, The research focuses on farmers, market intermediaries, and consumers, highlighting their challenges within the millet supply chain. A purposive sample of 90 millet-growing farmers and various market intermediaries was selected from key millet-producing districts. Data collection involved structured interviews and analysis using descriptive statistics and Garrett Ranking Technique. Results reveal significant production constraints for farmers, including price fluctuation, high seed costs, and pest and disease occurrence. Market intermediaries face challenges such as supply-demand imbalance and high transportation costs. Consumers encounter issues like limited availability and high prices of millet-based products. These findings underscore the multifaceted challenges within the millet industry, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address constraints and enhance the sustainability and accessibility of millets in Tamil Nadu.