Unleashing the power of millet: a forgotten amulet we need to put back on our plates
What if I told you that there is a tiny seed that has the potential to improve your health and the health of the planet? Sound too good to be true? History has shown us that the smallest things can have an incredible impact on the world and change the lives of millions of people. And that is precisely the concept of the Global Seed Vault, a genetic resource centre located in Svalbard, Norway, which houses at -18 degrees Celsius the world’s seeds that could feed future generations.
The loss of crop varieties is a major concern, as it reduces genetic diversity and increases vulnerability to disease and the effects of climate change. That is why forgotten seeds that were used in the past and are rarely grown today are so valuable. Yes, the key to transforming our food systems may lie in something as tiny as a grain of millet.
A powerful food full of potential
Each year, FAO seeks solutions to the challenges that concern people around the world, which has led it to direct research, actions and proposals towards new forms of consumption and production of sustainable food, which in turn are rich in nutrients and viable for planting in much of the world.
In March 2021, the United Nations General Assembly decided to make 2023 the International Year of Millets to raise awareness of the many benefits of millet and strengthen the interaction between science and public policy, as well as empower stakeholders to take action and build new partnerships.
A key cereal for transforming our food systems
Millet is a generic name for several species of small-grain cereals native to drylands. It is grown mainly in Asia and Africa, with India as the main producing country, followed by Nigeria, Niger and China. It is one of the first plants domesticated by mankind and is still a traditional staple crop in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Although it is a forgotten and underutilised crop, it alone contributes to the achievement of six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda:
- SDG 13: Climate action
- SDG 15: Life on land
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 3: Good health and well-being
- SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
- SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
Food experts believe it has the potential to become a key crop in global food systems, thanks to its strong capacity to improve smallholder livelihoods, facilitate nutrition and sustain the environment. Will you join us in unleashing its potential?
It promotes climate-resilient agriculture
This very small cereal shows incredible strength: it is able to grow in arid lands with minimal need for resources and maintenance, it is tolerant to diseases and pests, and its resilience to climatic disturbances is superior to that of other cereals. In fact, it is almost immune to climate change and withstands poor soils, drought and severe growing conditions. In addition, it adapts to different production environments, without major fertilizer and pesticide requirements. Sounds like it’s just what we need, doesn’t it?
It combats hunger and contributes to food security and nutrition
Food security has a great enemy: the dry season. However, millet is almost the only crop that can be harvested during this period. Therefore, it is a good candidate to overcome food shortages in very difficult periods, contributing to food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations.
What if the soil is in very bad condition? No problem, millet can handle this too. Because it has the added value that it does not over-consume soil nutrients and is able to cover the soil in arid areas, reducing the increase in soil degradation and promoting biodiversity and land restoration. Would you have ever imagined it?
It is a key component of a healthy diet
Incorporating millet into our diet can provide us with nutritious and healthy alternatives to the refined grain we are so accustomed to. Millet is considered a “nutri-cereal” because it is a good source of minerals, antioxidants, iron and protein. And it is very versatile, since it adapts to the requirements of many nutritional profiles. For example, due to the fact that it has a low glycaemic index and is gluten-free, it represents a very affordable option for people with diabetes or intolerances.
But there’s more: as a whole grain, each variety of millet provides different amounts and types of fibre. In case you didn’t know, dietary fibre plays a role in regulating bowel function, blood lipid levels and fullness.
It improves the livelihoods of smallholder farmers
This combination of resilience to climate change and its ability to adapt make it a key tool for strengthening food security and boosting economic growth. Opting for millet creates additional sources of income for smallholder farmers. Just look at Pudi’s story.
Pudi is an Indian woman who lives in the eastern state of Bihar and although she chose millet to feed her family, today her crop has prospered so much that she can now sell the surplus in the market. About two decades ago, the community had virtually abandoned millet cultivation due to market trends, resulting in a loss of seeds and knowledge of how to grow them.
The implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture made it possible for more people like Pudi to start growing it again. This FAO initiative works to help farmers in developing countries safeguard and use plant genetic diversity for food security and to cope with climate change.
The advantage is that opting for millet again is not totally foreign to us. In some parts of the world, it means recovering part of the cultural heritage, since it is a food deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of indigenous peoples. Therefore, it is a strategic crop to ensure food security where this cultural relevance is present.
It improves the diversity of food systems
Did you know that millet accounts for less than 3% of world grain trade? At this point, world trade has ensured that we all eat the same thing: wheat, corn and rice. So, opting only for these cereals causes production and demand for others such as millet to decline.
Therefore, if we give this powerful grain the place it deserves, we will also achieve a more resilient world trade that is less vulnerable to fluctuations, because we will open the way to other options that will allow us to guarantee food availability. In this sense, growing it sustainably becomes a valuable option to increase product diversity, reduce dependence on other cereals and mitigate the risks associated with food production.
There are many advantages of millet, aren’t there? This is its year, but it needs us to put it on our plates. Add it to your shopping list!
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