Preface

Millets are ancient grains that have been consumed for thousands of years around the world, especially in Africa and Asia. These grains are highly nutritious and contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for human health. In addition to being a rich source of protein and fiber, millets are also gluten-free, making them an ideal food for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

However, despite their numerous health benefits, these grains have been largely forgotten in modern times due to the dominance of other crops such as wheat, rice, and corn. As a result, the cultivation of millets has declined significantly in many regions.

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in millets as a sustainable and healthy alternative to other cereals. Millets are highly adaptable to different growing conditions, require low levels of water and fertilizer, and are resistant to pests and diseases. They offer farmers a viable option for sustainable agricultural practices.

Furthermore, the consumption of millets is not only beneficial for health but also for the environment. By consuming millets, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable food system.

In conclusion, millets are ancient grains that have been rediscovered as a healthy and sustainable food source. By promoting their consumption and cultivation, we can improve our health and the health of our planet.

> **Latika Yadav** Assistant Professor, Department of Home Science, Vijay Singh Pathik Government PG Degree College, Kairana, Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, India

#### **Upasana**

Assistant Professor, Department of Home Science, Mahila College Dalmianagar, Rohtas, India

**1**

**1. Introduction**

**Chapter 1**

**Abstract**

Nutri-Cereals?

*Sandiso Bhebhe and Mcebisi Maphosa*

Millets: Traditional "Poor

Man's" Crop or Future Smart

*Alexander Bombom, Tadeo Kaweesi, Faitwa Walugembe,* 

Millets represent a diverse group of cereal crops of significance to sub-Saharan Africa and globally. However, they remain a set of crops with limited attention and priority paid to them with paucity of information on their genetic diversity and sustainable use. Existing knowledge on millets with respect to cultivation, health, and nutritional benefits, and contribution to sustainable environmental management, and use is mainly attributed to traditional indigenous knowledge held by rural folks in different regions of the continent. The emergence of other cereal staples, however, led to millets losing their place as an important crop limiting their use to a "famine" crop with production occurring on smallholdings among the marginalized poor. This threatens interest, patronage, conservation and use to sustainably and fully exploit the potential of millets for the benefit of society. Intertwined with tradition and culture, millets in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere nonetheless hold great promise to contribute to food security, revitalize and diversify diets, improve farmer livelihoods, resilience, and adaptation to climate change. This chapter discusses the importance of millets, challenges to production, contribution to nutrition and health, traditional knowledge and products, novel and non-traditional products, contribution to resilience and climate change, and diversity of available genetic resources.

**Keywords:** millets, small grains, cereals, nutrition, health, climate resilience, value-addition, utilization, finger millet, pearl millet, sub-Saharan Africa

Millets are an important set of cereal crops belonging to the family Poaceae. They have a wide distribution and are associated with cultures and food festivals among indigenous peoples of Africa and Asia. Of significance is the association of millets with food and nutrition security in marginalized arid and semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and elsewhere. A diversity of millets are cultivated in SSA, Asia and the Americas including but not limited to pearl millet [*Pennisetum glaucum* (L.) R. Br.], foxtail millet (*Setaria italica* (L.) P. Beauvois), little millet (*Panicum sumatrense* Roth.ex. Roem. & Schult.), Japanese barnyard millet [*Echinochloa esculneta* (A. Braun) H. Scholz], kodo

### **Chapter 1**
