The Vital Role of Millets in Sustainable Indian Agriculture: Climate Resilience, Livelihoods, and Food Security

Millets, an ancient category of small-grained cereals, have historically played a crucial role in Indian agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Often overlooked due to the policy emphasis on rice and wheat following the Green Revolution, millets have gained renewed recognition as "nutri-cereals," especially with the United Nations announcing the International Year of Millets in 2023. This paper explores the role of millets in enhancing climate resilience, supporting the livelihoods of farmers, and bolstering India’s food security. The research underscores the adaptability of millets to extreme agroclimatic conditions, their economic significance for smallholder farmers, and the policy initiatives encouraging millet cultivation. The paper also addresses challenges regarding market access, consumer perception, and infrastructure. Recommendations emphasize the need to strengthen millet value chains, boost consumer awareness, and promote agricultural research. The primary objective is to increase the visibility and acceptance of millet-based products among both rural and urban populations. This review compiles recent scholarly findings, governmental initiatives, and regional case studies to assess the status, challenges, and future-prospects of millets in India. It emphasizes their nutritional advantages, ecological adaptability, and supportive policies, while pinpointing structural issues in markets, seed systems, and awareness. Keywords Millets; Nutritional security; Climate resilience; Sustainable agriculture; Nutricereals; Food policy; Agricultural diversification; Dryland farming; Rural livelihoods; India.