Importance of minor millets (Nutri Cereals) for nutrition purpose in present scenario

Abstract

Minor millets (Nutri cereals) are the groups of small seeded cereals belonging to the family Poaceae. There are upto thirty-five species of grasses from 20 genera are well known as small millets. The most important cultivated species of small millets are finger millet, Foxtail, proso millet, barnyard millet, kodo millet and little millet. One of the minor millet namely barnyard millet is the richestsource of calcium content, about 10 times that of rice or wheat. Minor millets are also full of micronutrients like Mg, Ca, Mn, tryptophan, phosphorous, fibre, B vitamins. These micronutrients act as antioxidants which are essential to human body. Additional specialty of minor millets is, they need very less water for their cultivation and can withstand severe climatic conditions. There is need of new high yielding, promotional strategies and policies are necessary to increase the area under nutri cereals crops to achieve nutritional security as well as sustain rainfed farming in the country.