Consumer Preferences for the Products of Minor Millets in Tumakuru District of Karnataka, India

Abstract

The study was carried out in Tumakuru District of Karnataka, India during 2021-2022 to examine the consumer preferences for the products of Minor millets. Sample consumers were categorized into urban and rural consumer and data was enumerated from a total sample of 40 consumers comprising of 20 urban and 20 rural consumers. Finger millet was the most consumed among the urban consumers with 3.5 kg per month followed by foxtail millet 2.5 kg per month and little millet 2.0 kg per month, while the urban consumers were equally consuming other millets. The monthly household food expenditure among urban consumers, expenses made on groceries (38.03 percent), vegetables (13.79 percent) and millets (13.65 percent). The total food expenses made by urban consumers were Rs. 5404 of which 13.65 percent was made on millets which amounted to Rs. 745. Rural consumers were Rs. 3906 which was less than urban consumers (Rs.5404). For each respondent, part-worth were estimated using OLS regression analysis, rural consumers also found price to be the most significant attributes accounting 40.74 percent of relative importance, gaining awareness among consumers in consumption of millets for nutritional value and health benefits is improving progressively.