Production Gains and Marketed Surplus of Finger Millet: Sustainable Lessons for the Global South

ABSTRACT Drawing on fieldwork in Nuapada district of Odisha in India conducted between two waves of COVID‐19 pandemic, the article evaluates two of Odisha Millets Mission's (currently known as Shree Anna Abhiyan) interventions, viz., increasing production and public procurement. By using farmers’ perception of an increase, as against no change or decrease, the outcome of interest is examined through an ordered logit. In addition, a multiple linear regression model identifies the variables affecting marketed surplus. The determinants of farmers’ perception on production gains were on account of area under finger millet cultivation, adoption of system of crop intensification, seed treatment, frequency of weeding and on having received training on agronomic practices. Marketed surplus is on account of area under finger millet and frequency of weeding. The agroecological approach of intervention using agronomic methods offers valuable sustainable lessons within and beyond Odisha, including for the Global South.