2024, Vol. 7, Issue 7, Part K

author(s)
Kiran Hingonia, Priyanka, Seema and Anita Sharma

abstract
Minor millets, also known as small millets, represent a group of traditional grains that have been cultivated for centuries across various regions of the world, particularly in Asia and Africa. The United Nations General at its 75^th session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year Millets (IYM 2023). FAO is the lead agency for celebrating the year in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders. Millets can grow on arid lands with minimal inputs and resilient to change climate. The theme of international year of millets is “Healthy Millets, Healthy People”. Millets are an important source of nutrition and offer a range of health benefits. They are high in fiber which helps promote digestion and lowers cholesterol. These millets play a crucial role in the food and nutritional security of millions of people, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Despite their significance, they have often been overshadowed by major cereals like rice, wheat, and maize in terms of research, policy focus, and market demand. Minor millets are a group of small-seeded cereal crops that belong to the grass family Poaceae. They are termed "minor" primarily due to their lower global production compared to major cereals like rice, wheat, and maize. Despite this classification, they hold significant nutritional, ecological, and cultural importance, particularly in semi-arid and rain-fed regions.