Sprawling Millet FieldMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

What are millets?

Millets are small-seeded grasses from Asia and Africa that were first cultivated  thousands of years ago.  

Bajra (Pearl Millet) Roti Eaten as a MealMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

90 million

90 million people worldwide count on millets as an integral part of their diet even today. 

Bag of Kodo MilletsMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Traditional grains

Before rice and wheat became mainstream in the 1960s, millets were ingrained in Indian culture, with songs and festivals celebrating them.

Ragi Laddoo (Finger Millets)Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Delicious grains!

They’re nutritionally-rich superfoods that can help fight food insecurity. They’re also gluten-free.  

Farmer Handling Millet SeedlingsMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Climate-smart millets

They’re tough, they’re hardy, they require significantly less water than rice for cultivation. That’s why we call them climate-change champions!

Different Types of MilletsMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Celebrating millets

The UN threw these versatile grains a year-long party in 2023, with the International Year of Millets.

Credits: Story

Text and images courtesy Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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