Small Millets: The Next-Generation Smart Crops in the Modern Era of Climate Change

Abstract

Millets are coarse cereals belonging to the family Poaceae, which is cultivated since the ancient period of civilization. Among different millets, small or minor millets are treated as neglected crops due to their low-yield potential compared to major millets (sorghum and pearl millet) and fine cereals (rice, wheat and maize). In spite of their versatile qualities, small millets remained underutilized due to institutional promotion in favour of fine cereals. Recently, these coarse cereals are re-evaluated as ‘nutri-cereals’ considering their composition and nutritional value. In the present consequences of adverse impacts of climate change, the small millets also attracted the attention of growers and policy-makers as they are less demanding to external inputs, drought-tolerant and register a comparatively lower carbon footprint than other cereals. These beneficial impacts ensured the comeback of small millets after the institutional neglect for a few decades in the developing countries. Considering the food and nutritional security of the common people, small millets can be considered as suitable staples. The emerging health consciousness and food demand for the future pushed small millets to the forefront because of their ecological soundness and mitigating ability to climate change. However, the successful harvest of small millets warrants an integration of proven and climate-smart technologies for the fulfilment of the future needs of the ever-growing population. The chapter focused on all these aspects. Moreover, the research scope mentioned in the chapter implies future directions for enhancing small millet-based agriculture viable in diversifying food baskets and achieving food and nutritional security in a hunger-free society.

Topics & Concepts