Number of Farmers Cultivating Finger Millet Decreasing in Jumla

Jumla. In recent times, the number of people cultivating finger millet in the district has been decreasing. Despite the high demand for finger millet flour in the market, the number of farmers cultivating it is gradually decreasing, informed Ramabhakta Adhikari, chief of the District Agricultural Development Office. The local levels here have not been able to focus on the goal of increasing finger millet production, expanding cultivation, and promoting its consumption. According to leading farmer Narawat of Tila-1 Rara, concerned bodies have shown no interest in promoting finger millet cultivation, which is on the verge of extinction. Farmers here are not attracted to finger millet cultivation in the villages. Farmers are giving importance to and cultivating vegetables and cash crops. Finger millet cultivation is particularly high in Tila, Hima, Sinja, Patarasi, and Tatopani rural municipalities. The number of farmers cultivating it has been decreasing recently, said Lalit Shahi, ward chairman of Tila-5. Currently, finger millet flour is sold at Rs 200 per kg. It has become a choice, especially for domestic tourists. This is the statement of local trader Arjun Buda. Farmers here have expressed concern over the extinction of indigenous crops produced in the district in recent years. Indigenous crops are disappearing from arable land. There is no attraction of youth manpower to agriculture. Arable land is now being left uncultivated and fallow. Only the older generation, who have been farming traditionally, are still cultivating indigenous crops. There is no interest from the youth in the production of old food crops. A decade ago, finger millet cultivation was widespread in the higher parts of rural areas, but local traders here say that although their production has decreased, the demand in the market has increased. According to the data of the Agricultural Development Office, 3,850 metric tons of finger millet were produced in the district in the last fiscal year. This production is very low compared to the past. The Agricultural Development Office has stated that finger millet is currently being cultivated in 2,740 hectares of land in all eight local levels here.