Fermenting Livelihoods: Exploring the Role of Millet Liquor Production in Rural Household Economies

Abstract

Millet liquor (kodo ko rakshi) is a traditional household production process and an integral part of the traditions among rural people of Nepal which plays a significant role in their livelihood. But little study has focused on its total economic value, the gender of workers involved in its organization and intergenerational transfer of knowledge within rural household economies. The socioeconomic, cultural, gender and livelihood importance of millet liquor production in Kanepokhari Rural Municipality, Morang, Nepal has been studied. It is based on the descriptive analytical research design following method of qualitative techniques. The methodology involves a purposive sampling, Semi- structured, in-depth interview, participant observation, field notes of seven participants aged 38-52 years. The results indicated that the production of millet liquor provided 35% – 75% of the household income while supplying the food, education and healthcare needs, and other requirements of the household. Women were at the core of the brewing process, earning income, decision making and the passing down of indigenous knowledge. Capabilities to do with climate, communication inside the home, trust, and social networking within the community strengthened livelihood resilience, while important limitations were high input prices, shortage of fuel, climate sensitivity during fermentation, and market and policy limitations. The study demonstrates that the production of “millet liquor” is an important rural livelihood system in the cultural context, and the need to regulate it with sensitivity to the local context, to establish producer cooperatives, to strengthen linkages with markets and to acknowledge women's economic and cultural value.