Current Status of Cultivation and Utilization of Millet and Factors for Succession at Mountain Village

Millets, which are at risk of disappearing in mountain villages, have garnered attention in recent years as they have been utilized for rural development in Japan. However, studies regarding their cultivation status and inheritance background in communities are limited. In this study, we focused on finger millet remaining in Shiramine district, Ishikawa Prefecture, and clarify the actual conditions of cultivation and utilization, as well as the inheritance factors in the community. The cultivation of finger millet in Shiramine district is an uncommon case of its inheritance in Japan, where a few cases of its cultivation have been reported. Additionally, finger millet in Shiramine district is advertised as a unique local resource. It is typically processed into souvenirs and served at local restaurants, although other types of millets in the district, such as barnyard millet and foxtail millet, are not actively utilized. Thus, we concluded that finger millet in the district is inherited owing to the following two reasons: (1) retention of positive memories in the community and (2) the well definition of finger millet for utilization in the context of rural development owing to its rarity in Japan. Collaboration with stakeholders outside the district is necessary to ensure inheritance for the next generation.