IYM2023: Opportunity for Developing Markets in Global Health, Climate and Sustainable Agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations have recognized 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) with the purpose to raising awareness about their health and nutritional benefits, their role in sustainable agriculture, and their importance in the economic growth of smallholding farmers. According to the FAO, millets offer an affordable and nutritious option to feed the growing global population and address challenges faced by the agrifood systems. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu stated ″Millets can play an important role and contribute to our collective efforts to empower smallholder farmers, achieve sustainable development, eliminate hunger, adapt to climate change, promote biodiversity, and transform agrifood systems.″

Millets and Their History

Millets, a collection of small-seeded grasses, are primarily grown in arid regions of Asia and Africa with marginal or low soil fertility. They are categorized as major and minor millets based on their grain size and the extent of cultivation. Sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi/mandua), foxtail millet (kangni/Italian millet), little millet (kutki), kodo millet, barnyard millet, proso millet (cheena/common millet), and brown top millet (korale) are notable millet crops. Some African countries also cultivate other millets like fonio and tef. Millets are highly resilient crops requiring less water compared to rice and wheat, making them suitable for drought prone areas. They are often referred to as famine crops since they guarantee yields even in situations of scarcity.

Millets hold the distinction of being the first crops domesticated by human in Asia and Africa, serving as staple food sources until the cultivation of wheat and rice became widespread. Proso millet is one of the oldest cereals consumed by humans and is believed to be the initial cereal grain domesticated around 7000 years ago. Archaeological plant remains from regions such as India, Mexico, China, and Africa frequently include evidence of millets.

Millets: Good for People, Planet and Farmers

Millets, often referred to as superfoods or nutri-cereals, possess remarkable nutritional value and offer a plethora of nutraceutical benefits. They are abundant sources of dietary fiber, plant-based protein, essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Consequently, millets are an excellent choice for achieving balanced nutrition, particularly in developing countries that face the triple burden of malnutrition caused by undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. The changing life style and dietary habits have led to the prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular ailments. Millets, being gluten free and having a low glycemic index, have emerged as a viable option for promoting a healthy life and reducing the incidence of these conditions. They support better blood sugar control and disease management.

Agriculture has emerged as a significant contributor to climate change, largely due to excessive chemical usage, soil degradation, deforestation, and excessive groundwater consumption. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices, in which millets play a pivotal role. Millets are renowned for their resilience in diverse climatic conditions, particularly in dry and hot regions with limited rainfall. They require less water for cultivation, thereby alleviating the reliance on depleting groundwater reserves and having a low water footprint. Integrating millets into cropping systems enhances soil fertility through improved soil organic matter, while their extensive root systems naturally protect against soil erosion and land degradation.

Millets offer an attractive option to farmers for organic and sustainable farming systems, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on imported cereals. In comparison to other cereals like wheat and rice, millets are easy to cultivate, demand fewer inputs and maintenance due to their shorter growth cycles, have reduced irrigation requirements, and are relatively resistance to pests, diseases and changing environmental conditions. As a result of reduced need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers, it benefits the environment by reducing the chemical load and overall ecological impact. Additionally, this reduces expenses for farmers and enables quicker revenue generation.

Opportunity for Developing Markets in Global Health, Climate and Sustainable Agriculture

The world’s population has experienced rapid growth over the past century, surpassing 8 billion and expected to reach approximately 10 billion in the next 30 years. The population increase is placing a burden on dwindling resources, resulting in poverty, inequality, health issues, harmful environmental impacts and climate change. While global organizations are working tirelessly to address these challenges, there is still a long way to go, requiring renewed multifaceted strategies.

Millets, recognized for their benefits to people, the planet and farmers, can play a significant role in tackling these challenges. The significance of millets for consumer health, sustainable livelihoods of farmers, income diversification, and the development of climate-resilient agricultural systems was emphasized during a recent gathering of G20 Agriculture Ministers. The United Nations also highlighted the contributions that millets can make to food security, nutrition, poverty eradication, income of small-scale farmers and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production), and SDG 13 (climate action).

Although millets have a wide range of benefits, they have largely been overlooked in the global food security agenda. The focus on the Big Three cereals- rice, wheat and maize, due to the green revolution, government policies and market distortions has marginalized millets. However, the consequences of these altered cropping patterns have become increasingly apparent in terms of their impact on climate change and the health and well-being of people.

The escalating health and environment crises provide a unique opportunity for millets to emerge as a prominent player and contribute to the revitalization of local agrifood systems, fostering efficiency, resilience and inclusivity. Currently, Asian and African nations account for 95% of global millet production; however, millets constitute less than three percent of the global grains trade. The benefits of millets offer a distinct opportunity for developing markets to assume a leadership role in improving people's health, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable agriculture. By promoting millet production & consumption, we can improve the health and well-being of people not only in these regions but also in developed markets battling with lifestyle related diseases. Moreover, the cultivation and consumption of millets can mitigate biodiversity loss caused by monocropping systems, safeguard against environmental degradation and generate additional income opportunities for small-scale farmers. Harnessing the potential of millets can enhance the resilience of global trade markets, empowering these markets to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Nevertheless, achieving this transformation necessitates deliberate actions, including the implementation of government policies that promote millet production and provide farmers with opportunities to establish strong connections with efficient value chains and markets. Furthermore, by increasing consumer awareness and providing research support, developing markets can leverage millets as a catalyst for positive change, benefiting people, the planet and sustainable agriculture. The International Year of Millets serves as an excellent platform to support and amplify this opportunity.