The seed of idea: How millets can help mitigate climate impacts on food

Source– The post is based on the article “The seed of idea: How millets can help mitigate climate impacts on food” published in The Times of India on 24th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture and climate change

Relevance– Adaptation to climate change

Context– The article explains the need for increasing millet production in context of climate change. It also discusses the methods to improve the yield of millet.

What are the impacts of climate change?

Climate change is impacting agriculture production, food stability and nutritional security.

Increasing temperature, erratic rainfall and prolonged drought are having severe effects on plant growth. It is causing shorter grain filing periods, reduced yield and biomass of grains.

However, Indian agriculture needs to safeguard the nutritional requirements of over a billion people. Thus, growing millets can be a way forward.

What are the benefits of promoting millets?

Nutritional benefits– They are a rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients like calcium, protein and iron.

They have a low glycemic index that prevents type 2 diabetes.

They can help to prevent cardiovascular diseases, lower blood pressure.

Climate resilient– They have higher photosynthetic efficiency. Their potential yield is unaffected by higher carbon dioxide levels.

Water efficient– They require less water. It is about one-third of rice, wheat and sugarcane.

Cultural significance-Millets have a rich cultural history in India. They have been a traditional source of nutrition for southern and northeastern India. In rainfed farming areas, millet cultivation provides livelihood to 50% of tribal and rural population.

What is the market scenario for millets?

It is overall positive.

MSP for millets has been continuously increasing.

India declared 2018 as the “National year of millets”.

2023 was declared as the “International year of millets” by the UN.

What is the way forward?

We have to enhance millet cultivation. There is a need to increase crop area under millet cultivation.

We need to research programmes to develop seeds for millets that are high-yielding, stress-resistant, have higher biomass and nutritional value.

These varieties need to be popularised through frontline demonstration and extension activities.

Millets should be included in PDS (Public Distribution System).

There is a need to promote agribusiness startup incubation centres and increase popular awareness of benefits of millets among consumers.

We need to have a national regulatory policy and institutional framework to bolster the entire value chain for millets.