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landscape. This research aims to devise an action plan to rejuvenate
the production of millets in Maharashtra, integrating traditional
wisdom with modern agricultural practices. By understanding the
barriers and opportunities in millet production, this study hopes to lay

down a comprehensive strategy to make Maharashtra a forerunner in
sustainable and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

1.2 Need of the Study

The declining cultivation and consumption of millets in Maharashtra
not only jeopardizes the rich biodiversity of the state but also exposes
its agrarian community to vulnerabilities associated with mono-
cropping and changing climatic conditions. While high-yielding
crops have been promoted extensively, millets, despite their resilience

to drought and pests, have not received the attention they deserve.
Moreover, with the alarming rise of malnutrition and lifestyle-related
diseases, there’s an urgent need to reintroduce nutrition-rich millets

into our diets.

Maharashtra, with its vast agricultural expanse, can significantly
benefit from enhanced millet production in multiple dimensions:

Economic Growth: An upswing in millet production can boost the
rural economy by providing farmers with an alternative, potentially

profitable crop.

Nutritional Security: Millets are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins,
and minerals, making them a perfect answer to the state’s malnutrition
concerns.

Environmental Sustainability: Millets require less water and are
often grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, making them
environmentally sustainable.

123 Millets: 2023