Sustainable Supply Chain Management for Millets and Their Products
摘要
The increasing need for sustainable and climate-resilient food systems requires the implementation of supply chain models that promote efficiency, equity, and environmental responsibility. Millets, commonly referred to as nutricereals, are dense in nutrients, have low input needs, and high tolerance of poor agroclimatic conditions and hence are well-suited contenders for future food and nutrition security. However, millet supply chains experience major challenges such as postharvest losses, inadequate processing capacity, fragmented markets, and uneven consumer demand. This chapter responds to these challenges by analyzing the design and structure of sustainable millet supply chains, tracing the roles of the important stakeholders, and assessing mechanisms for better coordination, information transmission, and value addition. Specific attention is focused on digital platforms, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), gender-sensitive mechanization, and contract mechanisms like buy-back and revenue-sharing mechanisms. The use of these sustainability-focused strategies proves to be effective in minimizing inefficiencies, improving reliability, promoting fair value distribution, and constructing resilience in millet value chains, thus adding to rural livelihoods, climate resilience, and health-oriented food systems.