Role of millets in doubling farmers’ income and sustainable development of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra

Abstract

The farmers’ socio-economic condition is complex and resource-poor where several factors were at interplay. The role of the farmers in the whole system is more on the receiving end as ‘passive subjects’ rather than ‘active stake holders’ despite the fact that sorghum and other millets constitutes one of their main sources of livelihood. In order to achieve the goal of doubling farmers’ income through millets cultivation, there is need of viable strategy comprising of three major elements: (i) scientific crop cultivation in participatory mode and capacity building with support of R&D organizations coupled with inputs supply in single window mode, (ii) promotion of value-addition and creating market demands through collective action like, formation of FPOs and SHGs, and (iii) policy support for buy back arrangements with MSP, crop insurance, inclusion in MDM and PDS system, infrastructure for farm-gate processing and warehouses.