A study on constraints faced by millet farmers in Andhra Pradesh: Garrett ranking analysis

Millets play a crucial role in ensuring nutritional security, climate resilience, and livelihood support, particularly in tribal and rainfed regions of India. Despite their importance, millet growers continue to face multiple constraints that limit productivity, value realization, and market integration. The present study aimed to identify and prioritize the constraints faced by millet growers associated with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) using Garrett ranking analysis. The study was conducted during 2025-26 in the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district of Andhra Pradesh, covering 160 millet farmers selected from three FPOs. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a structured schedule. A total of twelve major constraints related to input availability, technical support, marketing, finance, processing, mechanization, and extension were identified and ranked by the respondents. Garrett ranking technique was employed to convert ordinal ranks into numerical scores for objective prioritization. The results revealed that non-availability of quality seed, lack of technical advisory and irrigation support, and low market price or price fluctuation were the most severe constraints faced by millet growers. Constraints related to extension support, awareness, and credit access were perceived as relatively less severe. The study highlighted the dominance of input and market-related challenges in millet cultivation and provides a quantitative basis for prioritizing interventions aimed at strengthening millet-based farming systems.