Demographic Determinants of Millet Commercialization in Rainfed Hilly Regions: Evidence from a North Himalayan State of India

Abstract

Millets, historically sidelined during Green Revolution due to the prioritization of high-yielding cereals, are now witnessing a global resurgence owing to their nutritional superiority, climate resilience, and minimal external input requirements. As food systems evolve from addressing hunger to promoting holistic nutrition and sustainability, millets have re-emerged as the vital crops for achieving food and livelihood security, particularly in marginal and rainfed regions. In this context, the present study examines the role of demographic determinants in influencing the commercialization of millets in the rainfed hilly regions of Uttarakhand, India. A total of 244 millet-growing households were surveyed, selected through a cluster sampling technique with purposive facilitation by the local NGO, Himmothan, working to promote millets cultivation and commercialisation. The study included four clusters -two each from the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions - chosen for their distinct agro-ecological characteristics and active government-led interventions aimed at millet promotion. Respondents were identified using proportionate probability sampling to ensure regional representativeness. The study assessed how demographic variables—such as age, gender, education, income, farming experience, cropping intensity, and landholding size—affect the extent and level of millet commercialization. The findings aim to identify key demographic profiles that are most responsive to millet commercialization opportunities. Younger farmers (β = -0.176), those with higher educational qualifications (β = 0.188), relatively larger landholdings (β = 0.198), and higher cropping intensity (β = 0.277) were found to be more actively engaged in millet cultivation at a commercial level. These insights can support the development of evidence-based policies and targeted interventions that promote inclusive, scalable, and context-specific strategies for millet commercialization in similar hill agro-ecosystems.