International Year of Millets 2023: Opportunity for Enhancing the Use of Indian Millets Germplasm

Abstract

The global as well as Indian agriculture has witnessed tremendous growth in food production in the recent decades to meet the growing population, however it is also facing challenges such as climate change and malnutrition. Millets provide a great opportunity due to their climate resilient hardy nature and can be chosen to replace the conventional crops in the dry and marginal areas. In addition, millets are also rich in several vital micronutrients and vitamins necessary for reducing malnutrition and provide multiple health benefits. The National Genebank at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi and Millets Genebank at ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad conserves approximately one lakh accessions of millets germplasm which can be of great use in identification and development of improved millets cultivars. This article enlists the different aspects of importance of millets in reducing the risk of climate change and malnutrition, SWOT analysis for utilization of millets germplasm resources, future prospects and action points for greater and efficient use of millet germplasm in India.