Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is a climate-resilient cereal vital for food security, fodder and rural livelihoods in Maharashtra’s dryland farming systems. Despite its advantages, cultivation has declined due to competition from other cereals, market volatility and climate variability. This study, based on primary data from 60 households in Ahilyanagar district, analyzes factors influencing production, consumption and marketed surplus using multiple regression models. Results showed that production was significantly influenced by machine labour, manure, fertilizer and irrigation, with effects varying across farm sizes. Consumption increased with family size, age, taste preference and awareness of nutritional benefits while price also played a role. Marketed surplus was driven by farm size, production level, financial obligations, price and market accessibility with seed and feed needs influencing small and medium farmers. The study recommends integrated interventions focusing on mechanization, input efficiency, irrigation, awareness campaigns and improved market infrastructure to enhance productivity, demand and profitability.
UB Dhake, GL Meena, RB Hile, Latika Sharma, Siddharth Mishra, Kamalesh Kumar Meena, Rajeev Bairathi. Determinants of production, consumption and marketed surplus of pearl millet in Maharashtra. Int J Agric Extension Social Dev 2025;8(8):330-333. DOI: 10.33545/26180723.2025.v8.i8e.2287
