The Economic Reality of Underutilised Crops for Climate Resilience, Food Security and Nutrition: Assessing Finger Millet Productivity in India

Abstract

In spite of the considerable potential contribution of neglected and underutilised crops to climate resilience, food security and nutrition; widespread adoption of these crops remains a challenge. Uptake is inhibited by poor economic performance due to low yields, compounded further by various social factors. Using farm survey data and aggregated time-series data from four states in southern India, this study examines factors influencing productivity in finger millet cultivation. A farm-level yield gap analysis is complemented by an analysis of total factor productivity (TFP) growth between 1999 and 2014 to better understand the role of research and innovation. Results suggest that there is considerable potential for improved growing practices to achieve better yields, but also education levels and technical support emerge as crucial factors for boosting finger millet productivity. The TFP analysis indicates a moderate level of growth, with a high variability and conflicting trends between states, suggesting a need to invest more in research and development, extension and infrastructure. Sustained productivity gains will require research efforts that respond to the needs expressed by farmers and that finger millet forms part of an overall strategy for sustainable intensification.

Are non-farming consumers willing to pay “a good market price” for iron-biofortified finger millet? Evidence from experimental auctions in Karnataka, India

“…Another important determinant of farmers' willingness to grow a crop is its potential to achieve "good yields" (Asare-Marfo et al, 2010). However, the yields of millets have generally been lower than the yields of staples like rice and wheat (Grovermann et al, 2018). A solution would be to embed the promotion of an improved millet variety in an overall strategy for boosting millet use more generally, including improved growing practices to achieve better yields (Battese et al, 2017;Grovermann et al, 2018).…”

“…However, the yields of millets have generally been lower than the yields of staples like rice and wheat (Grovermann et al, 2018). A solution would be to embed the promotion of an improved millet variety in an overall strategy for boosting millet use more generally, including improved growing practices to achieve better yields (Battese et al, 2017;Grovermann et al, 2018). Apart from "good market prices" and "good yields", farmers' long term access to the seeds of biofortified crops is also an important success factor of biofortification which needs to be addressed (Okello et al, 2018).…”

Detection of the Spatio-Temporal Differentiation Patterns and Influencing Factors of Wheat Production in Huang-Huai-Hai Region

“…The Theil index is often used to measure regional differences in the context of multiple research units. Its advantage lies in that it can effectively reflect the spatial differences of wheat yield within and between regions and clarify its contribution to the overall difference [ 34 ]. The formula is as follows: where is the Theil index; and respectively represent the yield level of city in the wheat planting division; and are the sown area and yield of wheat in the HHH region, respectively; and are the sown area and yield of the wheat planting division, respectively; represents the interval difference; and represents the intra-regional difference of the wheat planting division.…”

Consumption of edible flowers in South Africa: nutritional benefits, stakeholders' views, policy and practice implications

“…, 2017). To put it differently, this approach allows understanding of the food system activities from a holistic perspective that can lead to harnessing the market potential of NUS (Ericksen, 2008; Groverman et al. , 2018).…”