Human beings are a part of Nature. It is a matter of great concern that the environment we’re living in is deteriorating day-by-day. Though we have progressed technologically and industrially, in the process, we have left the Earth in lurch. If we do not take steps to correct our mistakes and show concern and action to revive our natural resources, there wouldn’t be a place for quality of life on our planet. In this respect, millets are emerging as a conscious food choice that also promote sustainability.
Making conscious choices is essential for our existence on our planet. A World Bank report states that agriculture accounts for 70% water withdrawal of freshwater across the globe.
Due to socioeconomic development and growing population, there is an increase in the demand for agricultural products. Thus, the agricultural community is forced to make extensive use of chemicals and fertilizers, which is an increasing cause of concern. This means farmers are going for unmetered use of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides which will lead to a detrimental environmental impact.
Efforts are on to make more sustainable choices of food. Interestingly, millets are one of the ancient nutrient-dense crops that were a major source of food products across the globe in earlier times. They are gluten-free choices for health-conscious individuals. The WHO and government of countries like Bharat (India) are promoting millets as a crop. Millets sustainability and environmentally-friendly characteristics make them a champion in restoring Planet health. They are also a great food choice due to their dense nutrient value.
What are Millets?
Millets are known for their remarkable sustainability attributes. They are hardy crops that can grow in a wide range of agro-climatic conditions, including arid and marginal lands, where other crops may struggle. Millets have low input requirements, meaning they require fewer chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and water compared to conventional cereal crops such as rice and wheat. This makes millets a more environmentally-friendly option, reducing the pressure on land, water resources, and energy consumption in agriculture. The demand for little millet is increasing day-by-day.
The Humble Millet Grain: Sustainability Hero in Tiny Grains
Millets, these are unassuming ancient grains packed with nutrients, quietly emerge as champions of the environment. Their low-key nature belies their remarkable ability to thrive in harsh conditions, requiring a fraction of the resources that guzzle our planet. Let’s explore how these tiny powerhouses contribute to a greener future:
Millets: Sustainablility Choice of Agricultural Crop
Millets are known for their remarkable sustainability attributes. They are hardy crops that can grow in a wide range of agro-climatic conditions, including arid and marginal lands, where other crops may struggle. Millets have low input requirements, meaning they require fewer chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and water compared to conventional cereal crops such as rice and wheat. This makes millets a more environmentally-friendly option, reducing the pressure on land and water resources, and energy consumption in agriculture.
Millets are Water-Efficient Crops
Water scarcity is a significant concern globally, and modern agriculture is one of the largest consumers of freshwater. Millets have shown exceptional water efficiency, requiring significantly less water compared to many other staple crops. For instance, pearl millet requires about 30% less water than maize, while finger millet and foxtail millet are highly resilient to drought conditions. By cultivating and consuming millets, we can contribute to water conservation and reduce the strain on water resources, particularly in water-stressed regions.
Millet sustainability makes them crops of hope. They are drought-tolerant and known for their ability to thrive in arid and semi-arid regions with limited water availability. They have deep root systems that help them access water stored deeper in the soil. This drought tolerance makes millets a suitable crop for regions facing water scarcity or erratic rainfall patterns, reducing the risk of crop failure.
Millets are Naturally Pest-Resistant
It’s no secret that extensive agricultural use of fertilizers is damaging to the environment and human health. Some studies reveal that a higher pesticide exposure is correlated to cancerous conditions like leukemia, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and more. Millets are also great in this aspect too.
Millets have a naturally endowed resistance to pests and insects. They do not require using large amounts of insecticides and pesticides. Millets are a crop that are helpful in promotion of organic agriculture.
Millets are Climate-Resilient
Millets are adaptable to diverse climatic conditions, including extreme temperatures and uncertain weather patterns. They have a shorter growing season compared to many other crops, allowing farmers to adjust their cultivation practices based on climatic fluctuations. Studies reveal how millets are a flexible crop making them more resilient to the impacts of climate change, such as heatwaves, droughts, and unpredictable rainfall.
Millets Promote Biodiversity
Millets can take on a crucial role in promoting biodiversity. Millet cultivation helps preserve agro-biodiversity in two ways:
- Diversifying cropping systems
- Supporting traditional farming practices.
Diversifying Cropping Systems
Different millet varieties are adapted to different ecological conditions and contribute to genetic diversity.
This is helpful in breeding resilient crops that can prove helpful in countering climate change.
The short growing season of millets is another reason why millets emerge as resilient crops. Millet farming is thus more adapted to uncertain climate variability.
Supporting Traditional Farming Practices
Millet cultivation supports traditional farming practices and thus helps in preserving local seed varieties.
Millet farmers can contribute to conserving genetic diversity, ensuring natural resilience of agricultural systems and less chemical based agriculture.
Millets are Great for Improving Soil Health
Agricultural scientists have discovered the promising effects of millet farming on soil health. Millets also help in improving Soil Health and enhancing Erosion Control.
But, how?
The deep root systems of millets enhance soil health in many ways:
- Improving soil structure
- Increasing organic matter content
- And promoting better nutrient cycling.
Millets prevent soil erosion
How do they do this?
- Due to their dense vegetation.
- Extensive root systems stabilize the soil, lowering the risk of nutrient runoff and sedimentation in water bodies.
Millets have a Positive Impact on Carbon Footprint
Additionally, millets are known for their ability to sequester carbon in the soil, improving soil health and fertility. The deep root systems of certain millet varieties enhance soil structure, reduce erosion, and increase water-holding capacity, contributing to sustainable land management practices. Agricultural scientists and experts reveal that millets have a relatively low carbon footprint compared to other cereal crops. This is due to several reasons:
Millets require minimal inputs in terms of pesticides compared to conventional cereal crops like rice and wheat.
They are generally less demanding in terms of nutrient requirements (fertilizers and water), making them suitable for low-input or organic farming systems.
This has a two-pronged beneficial effect:
- Lowering the environmental footprint of agriculture.
- Lowering production costs for farmers.
Millets help in Income Diversification for Farmers
Apart from giving the benefit of lowered agricultural costs, millets offer economic benefits to farmers by providing income diversification. Cultivating millets alongside other crops can spread the risk of crop failure and improve farm profitability. Millets also have potential market demand due to their nutritional benefits and gluten-free nature, offering income-generating opportunities for farmers.
Millets Help Promote Promoting Food Security and Nutrition
The population of the world is increasing day-by-day making it more challenging to meet the growing demand for nutritional needs. With so many wonderful properties, millets are proving as a breakthrough crop for meeting nutrition needs of a growing population.
Apart from their environmental advantages, millets offer significant nutritional benefits. A recent scientific research on pearl millet highlights its amazing potential in combating malnutrition and climate resilience. However, despite its unique properties, pearl millets are an underutilized crop. Similarly, various other millet varieties are rich in dietary fiber, essential minerals (such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorus), and antioxidants. Millets are gluten-free, making them a suitable option for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. The diverse nutrient profile of millets contributes to enhanced food security and improved nutrition, especially in regions where access to a varied diet is limited. No wonder, they are becoming a part of various government schemes for promoting nutritional cereals.
Including millets in diets improves nutrition and contributes to food security, especially in regions where access to a diverse and nutritious diet is limited. Millets offer an affordable and sustainable source of food, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on external food sources.
Apart from their environmental advantages, millets offer significant nutritional benefits. They are rich in dietary fiber, essential minerals (such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorus), and antioxidants. Millets are gluten-free, making them a suitable option for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. The diverse nutrient profile of millets contributes to enhanced food security and improved nutrition, especially in regions where access to a varied diet is limited.
Including millets in diets improves nutrition and contributes to food security, especially in regions where access to a diverse and nutritious diet is limited. Millets offer an affordable and sustainable source of food, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on external food sources.
Achieving SDG Goals with Millets
The tremendous nutritional and environmental benefits of millets can prove vital in achieving SDG goals. Even the United Nations have recognized that millets can prove to be a significant natural resource to help achieve SDG goals, for example:
- SDG 2 (Zero hunger)
- SDG 3 (Good health and well-being)
- SDG-12 (Sustainable consumption and production)
- and SDG-12 (Climate action).
Key Takeaway: Millets are Crops of Hope
It is well known that millets are nutrient-dense crops that have been shown to provide immense health benefits like controlling and reversing diabetes. Apart from this, millets are an important indigenous crop with a huge sustainability potential. It is crucial to promote their cultivation, processing, and consumption through various ways if we want to bring our planet to health again. Important ways to do this may include:
- Fostering a public consensus encouraging government support farmers to grow millets by providing subsidies, training, and access to markets for millet produce.
- Increasing consumer awareness and education about the nutritional benefits and versatility of millets are essential for encouraging their adoption. Teaching everyone on how to cook delicious and healthy millet recipes for all age groups will form an important part of this strategy aimed at harnessing the benefits of millets.
By choosing millets in our diets, we can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly food system while nourishing ourselves with nutritious and delicious food.