The experiences of women who grow millet in Odisha, India, are investigated in this research. The study identifies the constraints and opportunities for women to participate in millet farming, as well as the effects of millet farming on their lives and means of subsistence, using in-depth interviews, focus groups, and surveys. According to the research, although cultural expectations and a lack of resources present substantial obstacles for women, their participation may be facilitated by establishing women's groups and cooperatives, access to training, and support from NGOs and government initiatives. In addition to proposing steps to increase women's access to resources and support gender-sensitive agricultural extension services, the study highlights the potential of millet cultivation for advancing sustainable agriculture and gender equality.
Top1. Introduction
In Odisha, India, millet agriculture has a long history, but since high-yielding rice and wheat varieties have been promoted recently, it has diminished. Millets, on the other hand, are resource-efficient, highly nutritious, and climate-resilient crops that are appropriate for smallholder farmers confronting climatic concerns. Additionally, millet planting might increase the influence of women in Odisha, who historically play a significant role in agriculture but encounter obstacles when trying to access resources and authority Figure 1 displays the crop area of “Odisha Millets Mission.” This research investigates the possibilities for millet farming to empower women in Odisha, India. It specifically looks at how millet farming empowers women in Odisha. Why are women-led millet projects successful? What obstacles and chances do women in millet farming face?
Figure 1. Crop area of “Odisha Millets Mission”
This research is essential because it helps develop policies and initiatives that promote resilient food systems in Odisha and surrounding areas while empowering women via sustainable agriculture. Designing interventions that support gender parity, women's access to resources, and their authority to make decisions may be more accessible by understanding the variables supporting women-led millet efforts. Resilience is increased by promoting nutrient-rich, climate-resilient crops like millet. According to studies, millet planting gives women in South Asia and India greater power via more money, better nutrition, and increased decision-making. Access to land, financing, markets, high-quality inputs, knowledge/training, and supporting policies/institutions are necessary for success. More resources, market connections, infrastructure, and decision-making authority are needed. Women in Odisha have obstacles to participating in agriculture due to societal conventions, a lack of credit and education, and their limited decision-making ability—women who overcame barriers earned more money and significantly influenced home decisions.
More study is required on the elements that enable success and problems, including women's experiences, resources, and decision-making authority, as well as the effects of millet farming on food security and nutrition.
Top2. Literature Review
The world's biggest producer of millet in India (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, ). A project in Odisha dubbed “Odisha Millet Mission” attempts to resurrect millets' production and consumption (Odisha Millet Mission, ). The many millets that are grown include, among others, ragi, foxtail, pearl, sorghum, kodo, and barnyard. In Odisha, ragi account for almost 86 percent of all millet farming (Mongabay-India, 2022) (India Together, ). The Government of Odisha's Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment is responsible for the flagship program, the Odisha Millet Mission (Odisha Millet Mission, ). The Government of Odisha introduced it to revitalize millets in fields and on plates in 2017 (Odisha Millet Mission, ). The program seeks to encourage household consumption, preserve and develop millet landraces, and establish decentralized processing facilities. The mission has earned praise from a variety of sources. To promote millets, pulses, and oilseeds, the Indian government has requested that other states follow the Odisha Millets Mission model (Disha Odisha, ). A millet mission modeled after the “Odisha Millets Mission” has been ordered by the Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission (Millet Mission Odisha, ). The Odisha Millets Mission has reached numerous milestones. Odisha was the first state to announce a three-year direct incentive to farmers (Odisha Millet Mission, ). The pricing benchmarking for small millet and foxtail millet was also completed in Odisha, making it the first state in the nation (Odisha Millet Mission, ).