Millet Farming and Food Security of Women: An In-depth Study in Sundargarh District of Odisha

Abstract

Women play an important role in millet farming and production, contributing significantly to the cultivation and management of these nutritious grains. In millet farming, women are frequently the ones who make important decisions. Millet is a staple food for many tribal communities and it is beneficial for all human being but maximum number of women is participating in millet farming. It is crucial to analyse the role of women in millet farming operations, as they are cultivating majority of on-farm and post-harvest activities. This study has been taken in three selected blocks in Sundargarh district of Odisha, namely Raj Gangapur block, Kutra block and Nuagaon block. The study revealed that socio-economic development on farming operations of millet farming and value addition. Women are involving in various on farm activities such as land preparation, variety selection, manuring, sowing, weeding, and harvesting, as well as production processes including threshing, cleaning, drying of the grain, winnowing, and expanding to value addition and marketing. Additionally, millet farming not only offers food and nutrition to the community but also plays a significant role in the rich cultural heritage of the tribal women. This provides women with a certain level of social and economic empowerment, as well as decision-making authority.