Millets-food for the future Sharma Anubhuti*, Senior Scientist, Sood Salej, Scientist, Khulbe R. K., Senior Scientist VPKAS (ICAR), Almora *Corresponding Author Email: sharmaanubhuti@yahoo.com
Online published on 2 September, 2013. Abstract Millets are small-seeded, annual cereal grasses which are often referred to as coarse cereals. These are used for food, feed, forage, industrial or other products in tropical and temperate regions of the world. They are generally short-duration, warm-season crops which belong to the subfamily Panicoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Individual millet species and/or varieties frequently possess some special characters such as adaptation to tolerance or resistance to drought, high temperatures, low soil fertility and diseases or pests; or for making special foods or beverages. Because of their natural growth in harsh conditions, several communities have selected and manipulated them to adapt to diverse local conditions of growth and survival. This ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions has had great influence on the genetic variability existing among millets today4. The millets have received very little attention with regard to their improvement, their relative importance and future potential for increasing food production in both the developing and developed regions of the world. However, realizing the nutrient composition of these grains, they are now considered as nutri–cereals (Nutritious grains) and thrust on the improvement of these crops is growing globally. These are grown in diverse soils, varying rainfall regimes and in areas widely differing in thermo and photoperiods and, therefore, considered as climate resilient. All these factors have made them quite indispensable to rainfed, tribal and hill agriculture where crop substitution is difficult. That is why it is important to enhance production and productivity of these crops to ensure food and nutritional security not only to people living in harsh and difficult terrains, but also in other areas. Top Keywords Millets, food staples, nutricereals, medicinal aspects. Top |