Millets are the Miracle Food for the Future. Millets are a group of nutritiously rich, drought tolerant and mostly grown in the arid and semi-arid regions of India. These millets are also known as “coarse cereals” or “cereals of the poor”. Indian Millets are nutritionally superior to wheat and rice as they are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. They are also gluten-free and have a low glycemic index, making them ideal for people with celiac disease or diabetes..

Benefits of Millets:

• Millets are anti acidic
• Millets are gluten free
• Millets detoxify body
• Niacin (vitamin B3) in millet can help lower cholesterol
• Prevents breast cancer
• Helps to prevent type 2 diabetes
• Effective in reducing blood pressure
• Helps to protect against heart diseases
• Reduces risk of gastrointestinal conditions like gastric ulcers or colon cancer
• Eliminates problems like constipation, excess gas, bloating and cramping

Millets were among the first crops to be domesticated. In addition to many health benefits, millets are also good for the environment with low water & input requirement. Recognising the enormous potential of Millets to generate livelihoods, increase farmers’ income and ensure food & nutritional security worldwide. Millets are called ‘sridhanya’ meaning rich grains referring to their nutritional value. They can fill the nutritional gaps when one’s diet is predominantly non-vegetarian. In terms of nutritional value, millets can supersede rice and wheat.

These are classified into two catagories:

Large (Major) Millets: Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Finger Millet (Ragi). Foxtail Millet (Kagni), and Proso (Cheena)Millet

Small (Minor) Millet: Kodo Millet (Kodra), Barnyard Millet (Sama), Browntop Millet (Hari Kagni), Little Millet (Kutki).