Introduction

• Minor millets are small-seeded cereal crops known for their nutritional superiority, climate resilience, and suitability for dryland farming systems. They play a major role in food security, nutritional security, and sustainable agriculture.
• They are commonly called Nutri-cereals because of their high mineral and dietary fiber content.

Origin and Distribution

• Most minor millets originated in Africa and Asia
• Widely grown in India, Africa, and parts of Asia
• India is one of the largest producers of millets

Important Minor Millets and Scientific Names

• Finger millet (Ragi) → Eleusine coracana
• Foxtail millet → Setaria italica
• Little millet → Panicum sumatrense
• Kodo millet → Paspalum scrobiculatum
• Barnyard millet → Echinochloa frumentacea
• Proso millet → Panicum miliaceum

Botanical Characteristics

• Mostly C4 plants with high photosynthetic efficiency
• Highly drought tolerant due to deep root system
• Short duration crops (60–120 days)
• Adapted to poor and marginal soils
• Require low inputs and minimal management

Climate and Soil Requirement

• Suitable for semi-arid and arid climates
• Optimum temperature → 25–35°C
• Grow well under low rainfall (300–500 mm)
• Best suited soils → Light textured to loamy soils
• Tolerant to soil acidity and low fertility

Agronomic Importance

• Ideal for dryland farming systems
• Low water requirement
• Suitable for crop diversification
• Fit well in intercropping systems
• Improve soil health and sustainability

Nutritional Importance

• Minor millets are nutritionally superior to major cereals.
• Key nutritional features: High dietary fiber, Rich in vitamins and minerals, Low glycemic index (good for diabetics), Gluten free
• Specific highlights: Finger millet richest in calcium, Foxtail millet rich in iron, Kodo millet high fiber, Barnyard millet low carbohydrate

Production Importance

• Provide food security in drought-prone regions
• Important staple food for tribal populations
• Suitable for climate change adaptation
• Increasing demand as health food

Cropping Systems

• Mixed cropping with pulses and oilseeds
• Intercropping in rainfed areas
• Crop rotation improves soil fertility

Uses: Human food (porridge, roti, traditional foods). Health foods. Infant foods. Fodder. Brewing and processed foods

Advantages of Minor Millets

• Climate resilient crops
• Require low inputs
• High nutritional value
• Sustainable cropping option
• Suitable for marginal farmers
• Low pest incidence

Constraints

• Low productivity compared to major cereals
• Limited improved varieties
• Processing difficulties
• Low market demand historically

Research and Development

• Millets research in India is led by: ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad
• India declared 2023 as International Year of Millets (UN initiative led by India).

Comparison with Major Cereals

• Higher fiber than rice and wheat
• More drought tolerant than maize
• Require less fertilizer
• Lower water requirement

⭐ Most Important Exam One-Liners

• Minor millets are called → Nutri-cereals
• Richest calcium millet → Finger millet
• Scientific name of ragi → Eleusine coracana
• Oldest cultivated millet → Foxtail millet
• Fastest growing millet → Barnyard millet
• Minor millets are mostly → C4 plants
• Scientific name of kodo millet → Paspalum scrobiculatum
• Short duration crops → Minor millets

Minor Millets Most Important Single Lines

• Minor millets are known as Nutri-cereals.
• Minor millets are mostly C4 plants with high photosynthetic efficiency.
• Minor millets are best suited for dryland agriculture.
• Minor millets require low water and low fertilizer inputs.
• Minor millets are highly climate resilient crops.
• Finger millet is richest in calcium among cereals.
• Scientific name of finger millet is Eleusine coracana.
• Foxtail millet is considered the oldest cultivated millet.
• Scientific name of foxtail millet is Setaria italica.
• Scientific name of little millet is Panicum sumatrense.
• Scientific name of kodo millet is Paspalum scrobiculatum.
• Scientific name of barnyard millet is Echinochloa frumentacea.
• Scientific name of proso millet is Panicum miliaceum.
• Barnyard millet is the fastest growing millet crop.
• Kodo millet is highly drought tolerant.
• Minor millets are generally short duration crops (60–120 days).
• Minor millets perform well on poor and marginal soils.
• Minor millets are naturally gluten free.
• Minor millets have low glycemic index suitable for diabetics.
• Minor millets are rich in dietary fiber.
• Minor millets improve nutritional security.
• Minor millets are important for sustainable agriculture.
• Minor millets are suitable for crop diversification.
• Minor millets are commonly grown under rainfed conditions.
• Minor millets have relatively low pest incidence.
• Minor millets are important staple foods in tribal regions.
• India is one of the largest producers of millets.
• Most minor millets originated in Africa and Asia.
• Minor millets are suitable for intercropping systems.
• Finger millet has finger-like ear heads.
• Minor millets contribute to climate change adaptation.
• Millets research institute in India is ICAR-IIMR Hyderabad.
• Minor millets are used in health and functional foods.
• Minor millets require minimal crop management.
• Minor millets help in soil health improvement.