AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MINOR MILLETS CULTIVATION IN ASSAM
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Date
2023
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Abstract
Assam being the highest producer of minor millets in North-east the present study was
conducted to analyse the economic aspects in three districts of Assam viz. Dhubri, Bongaigaon
and Barpeta with highest area under cultivation. A total of 120 respondent farmers were selected
randomly from three development blocks from each district, comprising two villages from each
selected block (total=18 villages). The primary data was collected for the year 2022-2023
through personal interview method with the help of pre-tested structured schedule. Stratified
random sampling was employed in the study to select the respondents adequately to fulfil the
objectives. In context with the current scenario of “International Year of Millets-2023” and
“Assam Millet Mission”, and India being the highest producer of minor millets, an attempt has
been made in the study to analyze the scenario of minor millet cultivation in the region,
including types of millet species grown, to estimate the resource use efficiency of the farmers
and lastly, to explore the prospects of value addition and constraints associated in cultivation in
the study area.
The study on socio economic profile of the respondent farmers revealed that the average
size of land holding of the sample households was 1.87, 1.43 and 1.78 hectares for the foxtail
millet growers, proso millet growers and farmers growing both the millet species respectively.
Average area under millet cultivation was 0.45 ha (foxtail), 0.44 ha (proso) and 0.73 ha (both)
and cropping intensity was found to be 124 %, 127% and 128%. Average age of respondent
farmers revealed by the study was 43.56 years. Adult male constitute 89 % and female constitute
11%. Study also revealed that the literacy rate of among the respondent farmers were
75.83%.The total cost of cultivation for foxtail millet per ha was found to be Rs. 30922.90, proso
millet (Rs.30147.03 per ha) and farmers cultivating both millet types were (Rs. 22418.58 per ha)
with gross return per ha was reported as Rs. 46246.55, Rs. 52551.98 and Rs. 46246.55,
generating a net return of Rs. 15323.64, Rs. 23912.61 and Rs. 20180.64 respectively, resulting
the returns per rupee (Benefit-Cost) of 1.50, 1.62 and 2.07 respectively. The commercial cost of
cultivation (C3) was found to be Rs. 34015.19/ha for foxtail millet, Rs. 35608.48/ha for proso
millet and Rs. 24660.44 /ha for farmers cultivating both millet species. Stochastic Frontier
Method (SFA) approach was employed to estimate the resource use efficiency of the farmers and
their mean technical efficiency was found to be 0.677 (foxtail millet growers), 0.703 (proso
millet growers) and 0.740 (for farmers cultivating both foxtail and proso).
Prospects of value addition from minor millets in the study area include preparation of
millet rice and flour, ready to eat snacks and beverages, bakery items, weaning foods, etc.
The major production constraints (calculated through Garrett Ranking Method)
confronted by respondent farmers of the study area were found to be weed infestation,
shortage of human labour, high input cost, non-availability of good quality seeds, lack of
knowledge of package and practices,etc. Furthermore, constraint associated with value
addition and marketing of minor millets were lack of proper market information system
and market price, lack of processing facilities, low and fluctuating price of the produce,
poor road connectivity to the cultivating area, lack storage facilities, etc. Adequate policy
measures by the Government regarding processing and marketing could uplift the minor
millet growers in the study area.