International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Anuja D Divate, Ashok K Bhoir and Vilas M Jadhav

abstract
Millets are ancient grains traditionally cultivated in hilly and rural regions worldwide, especially in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Recently, they have gained recognition for their resilience and contributions to food, feed, nutrition, and fodder security. Despite this, millet cultivation and consumption have declined due to lifestyle shifts and the labour-intensive nature of post-harvest tasks, particularly threshing. Manual threshing is inefficient, physically demanding, and disproportionately impacts women, leading to gender-based labour disparities and lower agricultural productivity. To address these issues, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Palghar introduced the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler (VMTCP), a power-operated thresher designed to enhance threshing efficiency and reduce drudgery during finger millet threshing. Its performance was evaluated against traditional manual methods based on threshing capacity, labour and cost savings, efficiency, and ergonomic impact, which is measured using the Body Part Discomfort Score (BPDS) and Overall Discomfort Rating (ODR). Results indicated significantly higher efficiency (98.2% vs. 82.8%) and decreased physical discomfort (mean BPDS: 3.7 vs. 7.4). Following the successful deployment of the VMTCP, the Finger Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler (FMTCP), developed by DBSKKV, Dapoli, was introduced to overcome limitations related to the availability and maintenance of VMTCP units. On-farm testing showed that the FMTCP maintained comparable efficiency and ease of operation, making it a viable alternative for farmers. In conclusion, both VMTCP and FMTCP serve as transformative tools for small and marginal farmers, particularly tribal women. They improve agricultural productivity, lessen physical strain, and encourage millet consumption, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture, enhancing rural livelihoods, and contributing to national and global food security.