Kodo-Kutki Cultivation and Rural Livelihoods: Evidence from Tribal Farmers in Anuppur District

Primary data of 125 farmers have been collected using simple random sampling. Chi-square tests, Descriptive statistics, and percentage analysis were used to interpret the data. The results demonstrate that income level of farmers have Markedly improved with kodo-kutki cultivation. the proportion of low-income farmers have reduced from 80.91% to 12.73% after millet cultivation. Mean annual income more than doubled, increasing by 135% that is from ₹46,591 to ₹1,09,545. More than 90 days of agriculture employment was seen in 64 % farmers of study area. Alternative livelihoods for farmers were created particularly benefited self-help groups through millet processing activities. Farmers still face challenges including inadequate processing facilities, weak market accessibility, lack of information of government scheme such as One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, and inadequate tech know-how. The study reveals that better institutional assistance, value addition, processing unit set-up and market access can enhance the contribution of kodo-kutki cultivation to sustainable rural livelihoods and tribal development.