This study investigates the growth & instability in area, production and productivity of different millets in Odisha based on secondary data during the period 2001-01 to 2021-22. In addition to that, an empirical study on 96 finger millet growers & 16 value added actors covering four tribal and rainfed districts of the state was made to assess the constraints in millet production & marketing and millet value addition. Our findings showed, LGR & CGR of area and production were negative for finger millet, jowar, bajra and total millets in Odisha. However, trends of total millet showing an upward trend in area, production & yield for total millets after 2017-18. This proves, there was some trend shift in the state in millet production which can be attributed to the implementation of Odisha Millet Mission (OMM) in 2017 in the state. Moreover this study highlighted delayed & partial payment of incentives in OMM and limited market demand as the most important constraint for millet farmers & processors. In findings, authors’ strategies on expansion of millet cultivation into semi rainfed areas and creation of millet recipes & outlets in rural areas to create market demand for millets in the state

Millets, Trend shift, Odisha Millet Mission (OMM), CGR, incentives, rain fed, recipes

It was concluded from our study that in Odisha, during 2001-21, growth rate in area and production were negative for finger millet, jowar, bajra & total millets. During the same period, the instability was higher (medium range) in production of total millets and all millets. However, the trends of total millet showing an upward trend in area, production & yield for total millets after 2017-18. This proves, there was some trend shift in the state in millet production which can be attributed to the implementation of Odisha Millet Mission (OMM) in 2017 in the state. Delayed & partial payment of incentives was the main problem, and it was ranked 1st among many constraints in the production and marketing of millets by the farmers. Similarly, limited market demand was the most important problem out of major constraints faced by processors in millet value addition. Lastly, authors’ strategies on expansion of millet cultivation into semi rainfed areas and to Introduce millets and millets-based products for adolescent women and other women groups should be a think tank of policy measure. It was aso suggested to implement a timely and need-based incentive support system should be strengthened for millet cultivation through regular & proper monitoring to capitalize on the recent shift towards millet cultivation in the state

Binmay Kumar Mandal, Sarba Narayan Mishra, Rajendra Kumar Rout, Abhiram Dash and Sarbani Das (2023). Production Trend, Constraints, and Future Strategies of Millets in Odisha. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8): 602-607