Farmer Handling Millet SeedlingsMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Millets have thrived for centuries
These traditional, ancient grains, native to dry, arid areas, were amongst the first cultivated crops in Asia and Africa. There is evidence of these grains being consumed during the Indus Valley Civilization. Even today, these grains are part of the staple diet in Asia and Africa.
Sorghum FieldsMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Their resilience makes them powerful eco-warriors
Millets have thrived for centuries because of their resilience, adapting to even the harshest conditions. Unlike rice and wheat, millets are rain-fed crops that grow in dry, arid areas, and in soils with high salinity.
Their ability to withstand droughts, fluctuating temperatures, and low water requirements make them an important resource in fighting climate change.
Paddy FieldsMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
A climate-friendly alternative to traditional grains
Millets are a more nutritious and climate-friendly alternative to traditional and popular grains like rice and wheat.
While rice, a water guzzler exacerbates the impending water crisis, wheat’s heavy dependence on fertilizers accounts for 43% of greenhouse emissions.
Wheat FieldsMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Millet cultivation benefits the environment
Millets trump popular traditional grains like wheat and rice when it comes to low water requirements for reaching maturity. Rice, for example, requires 70% more water than millets. An added benefit is that most of the water requirement for millets is met by rainfall.
While wheat cultivation requires less water than rice, being temperature-sensitive it faces serious challenges with rising global temperatures. Insect-resistant and hardy, millets grow well with minimal inputs in terms of both fertilizers and pesticides. This helps them score above both wheat and rice when it comes to their carbon footprint.
Bajra (Pearl Millets) Roti Being Cooked on an Open FlameMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Millets can help meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as defined by the UN, and adopted by all its members, aim to end poverty, improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth while tackling climate change and preserving and protecting our oceans and forests.
The International Year of Millets 2023 aims to contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (Climate action) and SDG 15 (Life on land).
These include SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
Low cost and nutritionally dense, millets can be an effective way of fighting food poverty.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
A good source of fiber, protein, micronutrients and phytochemicals, millets are good for heart health, immunity, diabetes and obesity.
SDG 12 - Sustainable Consumption and Production
Millet cultivation requires minimal water, fertilizers and pesticides for cultivation as well as storage.
SDG 13 - Climate Action
Millets are climate friendly crops with a lower carbon and water footprint vis-a-vis traditional grains.
SDG 15 - Life on Land
SDG 15 is to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Millets can play a key role here.
Text and images courtesy Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India
