Buckwheat as an Instrument for Nutritional Security in Mountainous Regions

The study has reported (a) the present scenario of buckwheat in fulfilling nutritional requirements of people residing in mountainous and highlands, (b) area and production growth under the crop, and (c) marketing practices along with the share of producers in consumer rupee. It has also identified the causes for losing area under the crop and has offered some suggestions to bring the crop into main stream of agricultural development so as to enhance income of producer-growers of this crop. The study has been conducted in the state of Sikkim and is based on both primary and secondary data for the period 2008–09 to 2013–14. The study has found that in Sikkim area under buckwheat decreased from 5.54 thousand ha in 2008–09 to 3.63 thousand ha in 2013–14. The production decreased from 5.35 thousand tonnes to 3.49 thousand tonnes during this period. The study has found that buckwheat is a high-paying crop for producers as farmer's share in consumer rupee has been found much higher in buckwheat than in other crops. Considering the high nutritional value of buckwheat, efforts should be made to increase its consumption through schemes like mid-day meal in schools.