Revisiting minor millets as an underutilised super food for enduring global food security

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Nutrition Science
• Climate Resilience Studies

Background:

• Global reliance on major cereals like rice and wheat raises food security concerns, especially for vulnerable populations facing climate and supply issues.
• Diversifying cropping systems with climate-resilient alternatives is crucial for sustainable agriculture and food security.
• Minor millets are underutilized cereals known for their adaptability to harsh environments and low-input farming systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent findings on the agronomic, nutritional, and socio-economic potential of minor millets.
• To provide a novel integrative perspective on minor millets through the lens of climate resilience, nutritional security, and livelihood improvement.
• To highlight underexplored aspects of minor millets, including comparative species adaptability and their role in localized food systems.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of existing studies on minor millets.
• Integrative analysis of agronomic, nutritional, and socio-economic data.
• Comparative assessment of different minor millet species' adaptability.

Main Results:

• Minor millets demonstrate significant potential as sustainable staple crops in food-insecure and climate-vulnerable regions.
• These cereals possess exceptional adaptability to harsh environmental conditions and require minimal agricultural inputs.
• The review highlights the multifaceted benefits of minor millets for climate resilience, nutrition, and socio-economic development.

Conclusions:

• Minor millets are a promising solution for enhancing food and nutrition security in vulnerable regions.
• Further research and development are needed to fully realize the potential of minor millets in localized food systems.
• Promoting minor millets can contribute to more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices globally.