Millets: Types, Production, Benefits & Trade & Export

• The foxtail millet or Setaria Italica is also known as kangni or kakun in Hindi. It is a small, yellow cereal grain. It is an ancient and a short duration crop. Foxtail millet is drought tolerant and suitable for cultivation even in a low-nutrient soil.
• It is rich in dietary fiber, protein, zinc, magnesium and other micronutrients. The fibre of foxtail millet has the ability to slow the process of digestion and the release of glucose.
• The foxtail millet can be a useful grain alternative for the people with blood sugar. This type of millet is used as rice, upma, khichdi, dosa, and flour. The foxtail millet is cultivated primarily in southern and central regions in India.

• Barnyard Millet or Echinochloa Frumentacea is a small grained millet and is popularly called as sanwa or jhangora in hindi. These grains are usually of white colour and considered a short duration cereal which suits the rain-fed and less fertile soils.
• Barnyard Millet provides dietary fiber, protein, iron, phosphorus, and other minerals which makes it a nutritious option to refined cereals.
• These millets are usually consumed during the fasting in India as 'sama k chawal' or 'समा के चावल'. It can replace rice in khichdi, pulao, idli, dosa, upma, and also in preparing sweets such as kheer.
• The nutritional value and the effect on blood-glucose levels depend upon processing and serving size. It should be consumed along with other foods.

There are numerous health and nutritional benefits of Millets. The Millets are beneficial for the following reasons.

• Millets have a low glycemic index as they digest slowly and prevent rapid blood sugar. The low GI makes it good for Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
• Millets are rich in dietary fiber as the high soluble and insoluble fiber contents promote gut health, ease digestion and lower total serum cholesterol levels.
• Millets are naturally gluten free which means they are the best alternative grains for such people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
• The high fibre and complex carbohydrates provide a feeling of satisfaction or fullness and offer a healthy weight control.
• Millets have micronutrient density. The Finger Millet or Ragi contains a high source of bioavailable calcium which is about 344 mg per 100 g which is about 3 times higher than milk.
• The Pearl Millet or Bajra have high iron and folic acid and are essential for tackling anemia.
• Sorghum or Jowar has polyphenols and anti-oxidants and provides resistance to oxidative stress.

India is the largest producer of millets in the world and accounts for about 40 % of global output. It is about 80 % of the total production in Asia. The millet is often known as 'Shree Anna' or 'Nutri-cereals' and forms an important part in Indian agriculture for climate resilience and nutritional security.