How Millets Can Transform India’s Food System for the Better
Discover the nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits of India’s ancestral grains — millets. Learn how these resilient crops can improve public health outcomes, enhance food security and revitalize the ecosystem.
Did you know that over half the world’s population relies on just three crops for their nutritional needs? The three crops are wheat, rice, and maize [1]. This excessively narrow food system can pose terrible risk to the environment, economy, and public health. In order to sustain our rapidly growing population in India and the world, we must diversify our agriculture and our diets. The challenge is to increase crop yields even as the climate is changing. What we’re asking for are resilient crops that have high nutrition, low carbon, and water footprints, and an ability to support local economies. The answer is millets.
Millets like Ragi (finger millet), Bajra (pearl millet) & Jowar (sorghum) are believed to have arrived in India from Africa a little before 2000 BC [2]. Remains of Rajgira (Amaranth) grains have been found at sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. The Yajurveda, codified between 1200–800 BCE, mentions Kangni (Foxtail), Sanwa (Barnyard) and Ragi (Finger Millet) [3]. India thus has a long-standing history of millet cultivation and consumption. Even today, India is the largest producer of millets in the world (APEDA) [4]. Its Bajra, Jowar and Kuttu (Buckwheat) make up for 18% of the world’s production. However, India’s per capita consumption of millets pales in comparison with its per capital consumption of wheat and rice [5].
According to the Economic Times, millets contribute only 5 to 6% of the national food basket [6]. This lopsided approach to nutrition is also due to efforts made during the Green Revolution to achieve food security for a growing population. The revolution gave us many high yielding varieties of wheat and rice without mapping their nutritional values or climate impact. The modern food industry, relying on mass production, further restricted our food choices. We see the consequences these decisions are starting to have across the board. This article will discuss the significant benefits of prioritizing the cultivation and consumption of millets in the context of public health, environment, economics, culture, and politics.
(i) Health Benefits: According to Earth.Org, 90% of global energy intake comes only from 15 plant species [7]. Restricting the variety in our diet can lead to malnutrition and physical ailments.
Millets have many health benefits. One, they are gluten free, making them a smart choice for those with low or no tolerance for gluten. They also have a low Glycemic Index which means they slowly release sugar into the bloodstream thus making them suitable for people with diabetes. The high fibre content in millets helps create a feeling of fullness thus reducing overall calorie intake.
Apart from all these incredible qualities, millets are also rich in plant compounds and micronutrients. For example, Ragi or Finger Millet is a great source of calcium, potassium and amino acids [8], and Chena or Proso Millet supports the nervous system with its lecithin content [9]. Doctors and nutritionists alike praise Kangni (Foxtail Millet) for its high protein and Poly-Unsaturated-Fatty Acid (PUFA) content [10]. Millets are also rich in plant compounds as well as vitamins and minerals. Therefore, they can boost immunity and support overall well-being.
(ii) Environmental Benefits As mentioned in the introduction, the exponential growth of the global population and the industrialisation of agriculture, led to monoculture farming. In this form of agriculture, only one crop is sown in a field for a season. Monoculture has negatively impacted our ecosystems and biodiversity.
When we consider also the role of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and the water footprints of the cultivated crops, it is not hard to see that a crisis is looming.
The high yielding varieties of crops have been bred for certain traits making them susceptible to climate change and other catastrophes such as pests and disease. We all remember the global shortage of wheat due to the war on Ukraine.
Millets are therefore the smarter option.
These ancestral grains have survived many millennia making them hardy crops. They are drought resistant requiring very low quantities of water, can thrive in semi-arid conditions, and need fewer chemical inputs. According to Outlook India, the water footprint of 1 kg of rice is 5000 litres, wheat 1350 litres, whereas millets are between 650 and 1200 litres [11]. They also have a lower carbon footprint at 3218 kg per hectare in comparison to wheat at 3968 kgs and rice at 3401 kgs [12].
Millets have a short growing season of 70 to 100 days against the 120–160 days required for wheat [13]. Being soil friendly also means millets can be cultivated to bring back land from disuse. All these qualities indicate that millet cultivation has great potential to enhance food security in India. Their cultivation is thus key to maintaining the health of our ecosystem.
Innovations in agricultural science have led to the development of millet-based biodegradable packaging. In 2023, IIT Roorkee designed Kodo millet-based edible to promote sustainable packaging and reduce waste. Initiatives like these showcase the potential of millets to transcend traditional agricultural boundaries, offering sustainable and economically viable alternatives to synthetic materials.
(iii) Economic Benefits It is a testament to the resilience of millets that they can often be found growing as weeds. However, even as a cultivated crop, their smaller water footprint & lower dependency on chemical inputs makes them cheaper to grow. With climate change ushering in severe weather conditions, falling groundwater levels, and unpredictable profits due to frequent crop failures, diversifying our national food basket by including millets is not just an environmental but also an economic necessity.
As we have seen in the previous section, millets are cheaper to cultivate than staple cereals like rice and wheat. They can also reclaim land for cultivation and create economic stability in rural communities.
It is worth noting that according to some reports approximately 80% of millet growers in India are women [14]. Women such as Lahari Bai from Madhya Pradesh and Raimati Ghuria from Orissa have achieved icon status for their conservation and advocacy of over one hundred varieties of ancestral grains.
Therefore, millet cultivation can go a long way towards redressing gender imbalances and income inequality in rural India. Currently, while India is the largest global producer & exporter of millets, its exports having brought in approximately 75.46 million USD in 2022–23 as per APEDA, the goal is to achieve a target of 100 million USD by 2025 [15]. As a major export item, millets can help India achieve both trade balance and food security.
(iv) Cultural Significance With the introduction of tofu, tempura, and tacos in India, the urban diet might truly have taken on international flavours. But our whole grain intake remains limited to a few cereals.
Despite this, millets have been integral to Indian cuisine due to their deep roots in Indian history and culture. In the Yajurveda, Indra gifts a bundle of grasses to a sage. These were collectively called Shyamaka and are thought to have included Kangni (Foxtail millet). Millets were also popular during the Sangam era and associated with the worship of Murugan [16].
This is testament to their robust links with Indian culture.
Today, the Bajra (Pearl millet) roti remains a staple in arid regions like Rajasthan. In the north east, the Yimchunger Nagas celebrate the millet harvest in August with the Metumniu festival. In the south, tribes near Vishakhapatnam celebrate Mandukiya in June — July offering Ragi to the bullocks. Ragi is also used to make celebratory pancakes on the occasion of Nag Chavithi in Andhra Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, tribals believe that hanging millet seeds and stalks outside the doors wards off evil and ensures abundant harvest.
Further, the use of millet flours during festivals such as Navratri has kept up the demand for the cereals. Fried flatbreads made of Kuttu (Buckwheat which is a pseudo millet) and Rajgira (Amaranth) are popular and sold commercially.
These cultural connections have helped millets survive. Millets are a key ingredient of foods that have helped sustain identities for people and practices so often marginalized by the march of modern industries and lifestyles.
(v) Political Benefits As we can see from the above sections, millets can improve public health outcomes due to their nutritional profile. These high-fibre, gluten-free, low GI grains can help people prevent and manage the onset of chronic symptoms of diseases such as diabetes and heart health.
A healthy population reduces burden on health infrastructure. It also has a longer work life and productivity cycle thus bolstering economic security. Countries with healthier populations are often more competitive on the global stage.
The cheaper costs of millet cultivation combined with lower incidences of crop failure can lead to food security. This is a critical advantage when India ranks 111th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index [17].
The deep cultural roots, historical significance of millets, as well as economic and environmental benefits position these grains at a pivotal point for policy intervention. Recognizing this, several government initiatives have been introduced to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets, tying cultural appreciation directly to political action.
These have included the National Millet Mission, inclusion of millets in the public distribution system, and promoting 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Proactive policy-making that considers heritage and the future can create a robust platform for millets to thrive. By integrating these ancient grains into modern agricultural and dietary frameworks through thoughtful policies, India can lead a global shift towards more sustainable and health-conscious food systems.
Conclusion: Millets have the potential to revolutionize India’s food landscape by addressing critical issues related to health, environment, economy, culture, and politics. These resilient grains, deeply rooted in India’s agricultural history, offer a sustainable alternative to the monoculture of wheat and rice that currently dominates our food landscape. By incorporating millets into our diets and agricultural practices, we can enhance food security, reduce environmental impact, and support local economies, particularly in rural areas.
The health benefits of millets, including their high nutritional value and suitability for people with dietary restrictions, make them a valuable addition to our food basket.
In conclusion, embracing millets is not just a nod to our past but a strategic move towards a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable future. By prioritizing these ancient grains, India can pave the way for a resilient food system that benefits everyone.
References:
[1] Earth.org (n.d.). The importance of diversity within the global food system. Retrieved from https://earth.org/the-importance-of-diversity-within-the-global-food-system/[2] Achaya, K. T. (1994). Indian food: A historical companion. Oxford University Press.
[3] Achaya, K. T. (1994). Indian food: A historical companion. Oxford University Press.[4] APEDA. (n.d.). Millets in India. APEDA. https://apeda.gov.in/milletportal/Production.html
[5] Statista. (n.d.). Annual per capita millet consumption in India. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1428494/india-annual-per-capita-millet-consumption/
[6] Economic Times. (2023, April 10). Food of the future: The business and economy of super grains. Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/food-of-the-future-the-business-and-economy-of-super-grains/articleshow/99336226.cms?from=mdr[7]Earth.org. (n.d.). The importance of diversity within the global food system. Retrieved from https://earth.org/the-importance-of-diversity-within-the-global-food-system/
[8] ResearchGate. (n.d.). Nutrient compositions of millets compared to wheat and rice per 100g. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Nutrient-compositions-of-millets-compared-to-wheat-and-rice-per-100g-Source_tbl1_332495842
[9] Singh, R., & Sharma, P. (2022). Nutritional and health benefits of millets: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2022/vol11issue3/PartB/11-3-5-183.pdf
[10] Indian Express. (2023, April 5). Foxtail millet and cardiac health: FSSAI highlights benefits. Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/foxtail-millet-cardiac-health-fssai-benefits-8532275/
[11] Outlook India. (n.d.). The magic of millets. Outlook India. https://www.outlookindia.com/poshan/poshan-news-the-magic-of-millets-news-359836
[12] ResearchGate. (n.d.). What is the carbon footprint of millet and how many hours should millets be soaked and what is the ratio of water to millet. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_carbon_footprint_of_millet_and_how_many_hours_should_millets_are_soaked_and_what_is_the_ratio_of_water_to_millet
[13] 101Reporters. (n.d.). Minor millets improve soil health, bring major gains for farmers in Khandwa. 101Reporters. https://101reporters.com/article/agriculture/Minor_millets_improve_soil_health_bring_major_gains_for_farmers_in_Khandwa
[14] Roy, S., Arulmanikandan, B., & Kalra, L. (2023). Empowering women in millet farming: Cultivating equality, sustainability, and economic growth. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377261603_Empowering_Women_in_Millet_Farming_Cultivating_Equality_Sustainability_And_Economic_Growth
[15] APEDA. (n.d.). Production of millets in India. APEDA. https://apeda.gov.in/milletportal/Production.html
[16] Achaya, K. T. (1994). Indian food: A historical companion. Oxford University Press.[17] Indian Express. (2023, October 13). India ranks 111th in Global Hunger Index 2023; government calls it an erroneous measure. Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ranks-111th-global-hunger-index-2023-erroneous-measure-8980416/
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