Abstract

Millets are group of small-seeded “Nutri-Cereals” that are grown as food crops in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. The value chain approach aims to identify and strengthen the linkages between different players’ activities involved in production & marketing of millet products, in order to increase efficiency, competitiveness and profitability. In traditional supply chain, millet farmers were not getting remunerative prices, but farmers as Producer Organizations (FPOs) or collectives can increase the farmers share in consumer rupee by playing the middlemen role in the market. FPO as a cluster can focus on processing and value addition of millets and target the customers directly by B2B and B2C. ICAR-IIMR acts as CBBO for 41 FPOs in four states (Andhra, Telangana, Karnataka & Madhya Pradesh) and they established primary processing unit in collaboration with KVKs at FPO farm gate i.e., Aland, Hulsoor, Shorapur, Vizianagaram, Anantapur, Vishakhapatnam for strengthening the millet value chain by engaging FPOs/ SHGs/ rural women/ unemployed youth in preparing value added products and delivering them through GeM portal, ONDC, SFAC and online platforms. Primary processing and value addition technology adoption by FPOs are key sources to generate better income and assured markets to millet growers. Millet value chain is facing many challenges but the overall adoption of improved technologies, better market linkages and increased investment in infrastructure are key strategies to enhance the competitiveness of the millet value chain, increase farmers’ income and improve food security and nutrition.

Sangappa., Rafi, D., Charishma, E., Satyavathi, C.T., 2024. Establishment of millet processing units to strengthen millet value chain - A case study of IIMR FPOs. Innovative Farming, 2024, Online first.