Abstract

Review Article

Production Trend, Constraints, and Strategies for Millet Cultivation in Nepal: A Study from Review Perspective

Pramod Gyawali

College of Natural Resource Management, Agriculture and Forestry University, Tikapur, Kailali, Nepal

Corresponding author e-mail: pramodgyawali98@gmail.com 

(Received: 05/01/2021; Revised: 20/03/2021; Accepted: 30/05/2021)  

ABSTRACT

Millet cultivation is making a quick comeback in the Nepalese agrarian landscape after years of institutional neglect. Agricultural agencies and farmers ignored these cereals while giving precedence over rice, wheat, and other crops such as oilseeds and pulses. Millets can foster well in poor soil conditions with less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. The main objectives of the study were to assess prospects and potentiality of millet, constraints during farming, and the possible strategies to overcome problems by analyzing the data and secondary literature. Districts in the eastern part of Nepal show dominance in millet production. Millet contains a comparative advantage over other cereals in terms of soil climatic adaptability, drought resistance, insect pest tolerance, and management factors. Further, the health-promoting factors play an important role in tackling food security and malnutrition problems, particularly in mid and high hills. The preference of tourists towards “dhido” has further increased its demand at present. However, lack of domain-specific high-yielding varieties, high preference towards major cereals, and poor marketing infrastructure particularly in marginal areas are the constraints mainly considered for unexpected production of millet. Millet features a high possibility of improving the production which can be supported with subsidy, improving tourism, promoting the millet products with agro-based industries, and motivating the growing farmers. Proper local and national strategies to cope with the limitation will help to uplift millet farming from minor cereals to exportable standards. 

Keywords: Food security, Dhido, Tourism, Agro-based industries.