Millets an answer for our food security – India think so

Climate change is a complex reality, and the world is receiving devastating impacts – cyclones, floods, heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, sea level rise, etc. Due to climatic disturbances, another problem is the need to attract our attention.

That is global food security.

Most food crops are water-intensive and heavily dependent on rain and irrigation. However, given water shortages, we must find responses to mitigate the looming effects of climate change on our food system.

What is the solution to food security?

There might not be a magic bullet. Instead, we need deliberate actions and strategies to adapt to the evolving environmental realities. One includes investing in and promoting water-efficient food crops.

Millets are food crops primarily grown on marginal lands in dry areas of temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions. Research suggests that millets consume 70 per cent less water than rice, produce half the time as wheat, and require 40 per cent less energy in processing. 

Millet is not a single crop, but it is a group of small-seeded annual grasses grown for grain. Specific millet varieties can be grown depending on the region and climatic conditions. 

This indicates that growing Millet should be strongly considered, particularly in regions prone to erratic rainfall.

Importance of Millets in India

The importance of millets in India, where agriculture is heavily dependent on rain-fed irrigation, is even more pronounced.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that India will face some of the most severe impacts of climate change, including extreme heat waves, high and variable rainfall, flooding, and reduced crop yields. Therefore, it is pertinent that India seek alternative crops that are more climate-resilient.

Millets are also crucial from a health and calorific perspective as they are a good source of protein, fibre, essential vitamins, iron, and calcium and have a low glycemic index. Considering the large section of the Indian population is still undernourished, Millet can be an affordable substitute for nutritional value. 

Millet’s historical connection with ancient Indian civilisation

The earliest evidence of millet dates to the Indus Valley civilisation, circa 3000 BC. It is an ancient grain that was domesticated for food and for use in the traditional cuisines of various cultures. 

Scientific data also suggest that the importance of millet grains increased over time, even in ancient civilisations, owing to climatic factors. The excavation and carbon dating of Indian archaeological sites note a “significant change in crop pattern (from barley-wheat-based agriculture to ‘drought-resistant’ millet-based crops).”

According to this report, the crop change is likely to result from deteriorating monsoon conditions, particularly in regions of present-day Gujarat, which have become drier over time.

The current climatic scenario also indicates the same direction; many regions of India are expected to become drier. Each year, a large portion of the country experiences drought and extreme heat waves. Therefore, adapting to new crops that require little water is not only necessary but also historically established.

Millets types in India

There are various types of Millets found in India; they include sorghum (Jowar), pearl millet (Bajra), finger millet (Ragi/Mandua), little millet (Kutki), Kodo millet (Kodo), barnyard millet (Sawa/Jhangora), foxtail millet (Kangni/Kakun), and proso millet (Cheena).

Efforts made by India to promote Millet Grains

For the last few years, the Indian government has spearheaded a campaign to promote Millet in India and internationally.

India observed 2018 as a year of millets to encourage and promote millet production and championed the United Nations resolution to make 2023 the International Year of Millets. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution in March 2021, supported by more than 70 countries.

The resolution aims to increase public awareness of the health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse conditions exacerbated by climate change.

To promote millets internationally, even the country’s highest leadership is making no effort. During the 22nd Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in September 2022, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, said,

“The world today faces another major challenge – and that is ensuring the food security of our citizens. One possible solution to this problem is to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets. Millets are a superfood that has been grown for thousands of years, not just in SCO countries but in many parts of the world. It is a traditional, nutritious, and low-cost alternative to dealing with the food crisis.”

In addition, he added, “The year 2023 will be celebrated as the UN International Year of Millets. We should consider organising a ‘Millet Food Festival’ under the SCO.” 

In addition, under the National Food Security Mission, numerous measures are being implemented to increase millet production in India. The steps include establishing a Centre for Excellence and the Millet Mission in multiple Indian states. 

In 2021, India’s public policy think tank, Niti Aayog, and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) signed a Statement of Intent to focus on building climate-resilient agriculture for enhanced food security in India. This includes an increased emphasis on mainstreaming millets. 

The initiative will also explore leveraging India’s millet expertise to help other developing countries by creating knowledge management platforms and facilitating knowledge exchange.

Indian start-ups and entrepreneurs are also encouraged to develop recipes & value-added products that promote millet consumption. Millet grains, cereals, bread, and value-added products such as biscuits, snacks, and beverages are now readily available both offline and online to cater to a growing number of health-conscious consumers.

Wrapping Up

Despite these efforts, the production of Millet in India has increased only marginally, from 14.52 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 17.96 million tonnes in 2020-21. In comparison, wheat production stood at a record 109 million tonnes, and paddy was 124 million tonnes in 2020-21. 

Despite India being the largest producer of Millet, with about 18 per cent share of the global market, the proportion of land devoted to domestic cultivation remains small.

With the sustained emphasis on wheat and rice for the country’s dietary needs and farmers’ prosperity, Millet’s market share among consumers and farmers has declined over the years.

This now needs to change.

Given the climate-related challenges, it is pertinent that small Indian farmers be encouraged to shift from water-intensive crops such as wheat and rice to Millets. In addition, people should be encouraged to consume millet as an alternative to rice and wheat. 

In summary, if millets are to become a solution to food security, India must overcome various supply-side challenges, particularly in production, and work to create demand.