Millets: A future of sustainable development and food security

Extreme climatic conditions are increasingly threatening staple crop yields and jeopardizing global food security. In response, there is a growing emphasis on optimizing natural resource utilization to adapt to a changing climate. Millets have emerged as vital resilient crops capable of thriving in less fertile soils and harsh environments, making them essential for sustainable food systems. Varieties such as sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, and pseudo-cereals like amaranth and quinoa are cultivated across arid, semi-arid, and cold semi-arid regions of India. Their ancient origins and rich nutritional profile position millets as key players in addressing the global hunger crisis and shaping the food industry. Millets are highly nutritious, offering substantial amounts of protein, dietary fiber, calcium, essential amino acids, and vitamins, while their low water requirements and compatibility with organic farming align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG-1, SDG-2, SDG-3, SDG-8, SDG-12, SDG-13, and SDG-15. Beyond their nutritional benefits, millets contribute to health by preventing conditions like type II diabetes, malnutrition, celiac disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. Traditional mixed cropping systems, such as India’s Barahnaja-where twelve or more crops including millets, pulses, legumes, and oilseeds are cultivated together during the Kharif season-highlight the integral role of millets in sustainable agriculture. Similar systems are practiced in other resource-limited regions of India, including arid Rajasthan. This review emphasizes the critical role of millets in promoting sustainable development and ensuring food security amidst climate challenges.