Trend, growth and instability of area, production and productivity of finger millet in India

Abstract

The present study has been analysed the trend in area, production and productivity of finger millet and the instability by Cuddy Della Valle index. The study has been carried out based on secondary data and the data was collected for the periods from 1981-82 to 2020-21, from government publications and websites. Compound annual growth rate, co- efficient of variation and instability index was computed. The growth rate of area of finger millet in India showed significant at 1 percent level with negative trend which is due to diversification of crops and production showed significant at 1 percent level with positive trend as it is the function of area and productivity. The productivity of finger millets is drastically increasing due to the availability of high-yielding varieties and new cultivation technology adoption. The growth rate of area showed significant at 1 percent level with positive trend and productivity of finger millet of Karnataka showed significant at 1 percent level with negative trend and production showed no significant with positive trend. Thus there is a need to take up productivity enhancing measures in finger millet like varietal improvement, improved cultural practices and irrigation facilities. The instability indices for area, production and productivity for finger millet is positive which indicates less risk in growing finger millet in future. The fluctuations in area are due to replacement of finger millet cultivated lands by other comparable and competitive crops such as paddy, wheat and commercial cash crops. The consumption of finger millet is less due to awareness about finger millet among the peoples. The Government intervention needs to focus on spreading finger millet as a wonder grain for dry lands and infant nutrition.