Socio-Economic Profile, Disposal Pattern, and Production Constraints of Finger Millet Farmers in Almora District of Uttarakhand

Abstract— The study examines the socio-economic profile, disposal pattern, and production constraints of finger millet farmers in Almora district, Uttarakhand, the state’s leading producer. Three development blocks were purposively selected, with 90 farmers chosen through multi-stage random sampling. Primary data for 2022–23 were collected via structured interviews, and secondary data on area and production (2008–09 to 2022–23) were sourced from official records. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio-economic variables, while Garret’s ranking technique identified key production and marketing constraints. Results revealed that cultivation is dominated by middle-aged farmers (35–55 years), with moderate literacy, large family sizes, and small, largely rainfed holdings. Livestock, especially goats and buffaloes, form a vital component of the farming system, with major investment in cattle sheds. On-farm income accounted for the bulk of household earnings. Constraints included labour scarcity, low productivity, inadequate irrigation, and market access issues, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to sustain and enhance finger millet cultivation.