Revitalizing Millets for Nutritional Security & Fortifying Food and Uplifting Small and Marginal Farmers in India: A Review
Harsh Gupta
*
Department of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna, 485334, (M.P.), India.
Tulika Panigrahi
Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna, 485001, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Umesh Patle
Department of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna, 485334, (M.P.), India.
Ekta Pandre
Department of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna, 485334, (M.P.), India.
Tarun Singh
Department of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna, 485334, (M.P.), India.
Kumari Shweta
Department of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna, 485334, (M.P.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This comprehensive analysis explores the significance of millets as a solution for small and marginal farmers in India. The country faces substantial challenges in food and nutritional security, exacerbated by climate change, inequality, and inadequate infrastructure. Millets offer a promising solution, addressing malnutrition, ensuring food security, and demonstrating resilience to climate change. By diversifying cropping systems and promoting value addition, millets provide income-generating opportunities for farmers. However, challenges such as low productivity, limited awareness, insufficient value chain infrastructure, and market linkages hinder the widespread adoption of millets. Government initiatives, including the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and the National Food Security Mission, aim to support millet cultivation and production. Furthermore, policies promoting research and development, market access, and minimum support prices contribute to the growth of the millet sector. The nutritional benefits, climate resilience, and income opportunities associated with millets make them a valuable solution for small and marginal farmers. By investing in technology, infrastructure, and policy sup-port, India can harness the potential of millets to achieve sustainable agricultural practices, improve livelihoods, and ensure food and nutritional security.
Keywords: Climate resilience, food and nutritional security, government initiatives, millets, small and marginal farmers, value addition