Presentation by Dr. Pranati Das, Assam Agricultural University

1. MILLETS FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & FOOD
SECURITY
Dr. Pranati Das
Principal Scientist
Department of Food & Nutrition
Assam Agricultural University
Jorhat-785013

2. Millets are small seeded
cereal grains consumed as
food by millions of people
throughout the world.
They are often referred
to as ‘poor man’s cereal,
because people with a
choice prefer other cereals
such as wheat or rice.
But recently Prof. M. S.
Swaminathan designated
millets as ‘nutritious
millets’ & it deserves to be
reclassified so, because of
its nutritive properties.

3. Most of millet of the world is grown in Asia
Africa, USSR

4. MILLET PRODUCTION:
Production contribution of the top 10 millet producing
countries in 2005 (FAOSTAT, 2005)

5. TOP TEN MILLET RODUCERS- 2007
Country Production (Tonnes)
India 10,610,000
Nigeria 7,700,000
Niger 2,781,928
China 2,101,000
Burkina Faso 1,104,010
Mali 1,074,440
Sudan 792,000
Uganda 732,000
Chad 550,000
Ethiopia 500,000

6. TOTAL MILLET PRODUCTION OF
THE WORLD 31,875,597 TONNES

7. GLOBAL MILLET CONSUMPTION (FAOSTAT, 2005) :

8. GLOBAL MILLET CONSUMPTION
Country MT (5 yr.
avg.)
India 9,041,765
Nigeria 4,299,211
Niger 1,733,793
China 1,116,505
Burkina Faso 856,337
Mali 701,701
Sudan 560,548
Uganda 408,137

9. GLOBAL MILLET CONSUMPTION
Country MT (5 yr.
avg.)
Senegal 347,989
Chad 296,119
Russian Federation 280,941
Ethiopia 259,490
Nepal 251,027
Myanmar 137,759
Tanzania 136,409
Ghana 117,955

10. However, just because a country is a top global consumer does not mean that
millet is a significant source of calories for them. India and China are rank as the
1st and 4th consumer of millet, but due to their population size they rank 11th and
38th in per capita consumption

11. MILLETS GROWN
IN INDIA
Minor millets:
MAJOR MILLETS:
MAJOR Finger millet
Sorghum Proso millet
Sorghum Little millet
Pearl millet Foxtail millet
Pearl millet Barnyard millet
Kodo millet

12. Millets grown in North East India:
Species Common name Region
Digitaria cruciata Raishan Khasi hills
(Ness)A.
Setaria Italica((L) Foxtail millet Assam, Arunachal
(Konidhan)
Eleusine coracana(L) Finger millet Arunachal

13. Food security is achieved “
when all the people, at all times
have physical and economical
access to sufficient, safe and
nutritious food to meet their
dietary needs and food
preferences for an active and
healthy life”

14. FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA
In India cereal security is very important, because it
was characterized by history of drought and famines,
vast and expanding population and social structure
still not fully evolved up to the expectation of our civil
society.
The increases in productivity during the last four
decades has been accompanied by increases in
personal income.

15. Food security in India
Increased incomes will normally lead to decline in
consumption of cereals mainly coarse grains
including millets.
PDS has significantly changed the food habits of
people across the country, but led to complete
neglect of millets which are otherwise extremely
nutritious.
In the same time food security programme based on
rice-wheat supply through PDS system has not
completely attained the desired objective of reducing
hunger in the country.

16. GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI)
GHI is a multi dimensional statistical tool
used to describe the state of countries
hunger situation.
It is updated once in a year.
GHI was adopted and further developed by
the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI) and was first published in
2006 with the WELTHUNGERHILFE a
German NGO.
Since 2007 the IRISH NGO Concern
Worldwide joined the group as co publisher.

17. CONCEPT
GHI is designed to capture several dimensions of
hunger :
•increased susceptibility to disease
•shortfall in nutritional status
•loss of energy
•disability
•death due to starvation or infectious diseases
whose lethal course is the result of weakened
general health

18. GHI= PUN+CUW+CM÷3
PUN= Proportion of
population that is
undernourished (in %)
CUW= Prevalence of
underweight children
under five (in %)
CM= Proportion of
children dying before
the age of five (in %)

19. GHI for INDIA
Rank= 65 out of 84
countries
GHI in 1990=31.7
GHI in 2009=23.9
(It’s a 100 point scale , 0
means no hunger, higher
the score, worse the food
situation of the country.
20-29.9= alarming; above
30= extremely alarming)

20. Map of world poverty by country showing
percentage of population living on less than $ 1.25
per day. Based on UN Human Development Report
2009

21. Map of world poverty by country showing percentage
of population living on less than $ 2.00 per day. Based
on UN Human Development Report 2009

22. Map of world poverty by country, showing percentage
of population living below the national poverty line.
Based on data from the CIA World Fact book (India
below Rs.21.6- urban, Rs. 14.3- rural, per day)

23. The country must, therefore, work
towards achieving complete food
security, even though elimination
of hunger may have been the
primary objective, the nutritional
security also may be
simultaneously planned and
visualized.

25. Millet inclusion in the food security on the
contrary would have strengthened not
only the food security objective but
nutritional security since millets are rich
sources of many macro and micro
minerals.
Such a shift at least now can be
encouraged in those states where millets
are known to be produced and
consumed.
This calls for alteration in agricultural
policy and R & D.

26. STATUS OF MILLETS IN INDIA
Finger millet: Also known
as Ragi or Mandwa is the
most important small
millet food crops of
Southern Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Uttaranchal,
Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh & Orissa.
It is grown successfully
in areas where rainfall Is
about 350 mm and
temperatures more than
30 degree Celsius.

27. STATUS OF MILLETS IN INDIA
Pearl millet: Also known as
Bajra in a Kharif crop and is
chiefly grown in Rajasthan,
Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh,
Haryana, Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu, Punjab and
Maharashtra.
The crop can grow well in
the areas with less than 350
mm annual rainfall &
temperature betwee n 25 to
35 degree Celsius.

28. STATUS OF MILLETS IN INDIA
SORGHUM : Also known as
Jowar is perceived to be
important coarse grain food
crop which is cultivated
widely across Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and in parts of
Rajasthan.
The crop in areas is hardy
and cultivated in the areas
with rainfall beyond 350
mm.

29. In each of the millet growing
areas at least 4 to 5 species
are cultivated, either as
primary or allied crop in
combination with the pulses,
oilseeds, spices and
condiments.
However, in spite of a rich
inter/intra species diversity
and wider climatic
adaptability, cultivation of
diverse millet species /
varieties is gradually
narrowing in the recent past.

30. In a way, a lack of institutional
support for millet crops in
contrast to the institutional
promotion of rice and wheat
continue to shrink the millet
growing region.
Over the last 50 years, the
share of coarse grains which
include pearl millet, sorghum,
maize, finer millet,barley and
five other millet species
known as small millets , in
terms of total area has
registered 25.3% decline from
38.83 Mha in 1949-50 to 29.03
Mha in 2004-05

31. Major factor discouraging minor
millet cultivation and consumption
with improvement in living standard
or urbanization is the drudgery
associated with its processing.
No processing technology and
machinery suiting to minor millets
available in South Asia.
Hence much of the millets
consumed are processed at
household level by following a
tedious method involving
considerable drudgery.
With increasing availability of other
Tedious manual milling
grains, households who can afford
of minor millets
these grains are avoiding the
drudgery of processing millets.

32. In spite of of this several
communities in the dry/rainfed
regions having known the food
qualities of millets over
generations continue to include
a range of millets in the
traditional cropping patterns,
who recognise millets as an
essential part of the local diet.

35. RECAPTURING MILLETS

36. WHY MILLET SHOULD BE RECAPTURED ?
Millets are crop of food sovereignty.
Nutritive profile of many elements are much
higher compared to other crops.
Compared to irrigated commodity crops
currently promoted, millets require just 25%
rainfall.
The crop does not fail.
Women will be empowered .

37. Health benefits of eating millets
Lignans, an essential phytonutrient present in
millet, are very beneficial to the human body, which
act against different types of hormone-dependent
cancers, like breast cancer and also help reduce the
risk of heart disease.
Regular consumption of millet is very beneficial for
postmenopausal women suffering from signs of
cardiovascular disease, like high blood pressure and
high cholesterol levels.

38. A high source of fiber, millet is very
beneficial against breast cancer in post-
menopausal women.
According to research and recent studies,
consumption of millet can help women combat
the occurrence of gallstones, as they are a very
high source of insoluble fiber.

39. This form of cereal grain is very high in
phosphorus content, which plays a vital role in
maintaining the cell structure of the human
body. The key role of this mineral is that it
helps in the formation of the mineral matrix of
the bone and is also an essential component
of ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate), which is the
energy currency of the body.

40. A single cup of millet provides around
24.0% of the body’s daily phosphorus
requirement. This mineral is a very
important constituent of nucleic acids,
which are the building blocks of genetic
code.

41. Recent research has indicated that the regular
consumption of millet is associated with reduced
risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is mainly due
to the fact that whole grains like millet are a rich
source of magnesium, which acts as a co-factor in a
number of enzymatic reactions in the body,
regulating the secretion of glucose and insulin.
Magnesium is also beneficial in reducing the
frequency of migraine attacks. It is even very useful
for people who are suffering from atherosclerosis
and diabetic heart disease.

42. A comparison of nutritional components of millets and “big” cereals (per 100g)
Protein (g) Fat Crude Energy
Grain type Ash (g) Carbs (g) (kcal)
(Nx6.25) (g) fibre (g)
Small millets Common
Millet 12.5 3.5 3.1 5.2 63.8 364
(Proso)
Foxtail millet 11.2 4 3.3 6.7 63.2 351
Barnyard
11 3.9 4.5 13.6 55 300
millet
Kodo millet 9.8 3.6 3.3 5.2 66.6 353
Little millet 9.7 5.2 5.4 7.6 60.9 329
Finger millet 7.7 1.5 2.6 3.6 72.6 336
Large millets Pearl millet 11.8 4.8 2.2 2.3 67 363
Sorghum 10.4 3.1 1.6 2 70.7 329
Comparable Wheat 11.6 2 1.6 2 71 348
grains
Maize 9.2 4.6 1.2 2.8 73 358
Rice (brown) 7.9 2.7 1.3 1 76 362
Foxtail millet
10.5 7.8 3.0 7.3 61.0 358.3
(Y)
Foxtail millet
11.1 7.9 3.3 8.0 60.7 358.7
(P)

43. A comparison of nutritional components of millets and “big” cereals (per 100g)
Grain type Ca (mg) Fe (mg) Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin
(mg) (mg) (mg)
Small millets Common
Millet 8 2.9 0.41 0.28 4.5
PROSO
Foxtail millet 31 2.8 0.59 0.11 3.2
Barnyard
22 18.6 0.33 0.1 4.2
millet
Kodo millet 35 107 0.15 0.09 2
Little millet 17 9.3 0.3 0.09 3.2
Finger millet 350 3.9 0.42 0.19 1.1
Large millets Pearl millet 42 11 0.38 0.21 2.8
Sorghum 25 5.4 0.38 0.15 4.3
Comparable Wheat 30 3.5 0.41 0.1 5.1
grains
Maize 26 2.7 0.38 0.2 3.6
Rice (brown) 33 1.8 0.41 0.04 4.3
Source: FAO 1995: Hulse. Laing and Pearson. 1980: U.S. National Research Council/NAS. 1982: USDA/HNIS.
1984

44. Proximate composition of two varieties of foxtail millets
from Assam ( in 100g)
Variety Process Protein Fat (g) Mineral Cr. CHO Energy
ing (g) (g) Fibre (g) (Kcal)
(G)
Yellow Raw 10.5 7.8 3.0 7.3 61.0 358.3
Popped 10.9 5.2 2.5 3.5 72.8 381.8
Malted 9.2 3.8 2.9 7.0 72.3 360.8
Purple Raw 11.1 7.9 3.3 8.0 60.7 358.9
Popped 12.0 5.5 2.2 2.7 71.8 384.5
Malted 9.9 3.3 2.7 7.3 72.2 358.9

45. Effect of processing on digestibility of foxtail millets
Digestibility Variety Raw Popped Malted
Yellow 75.2 107.1 92.0
Starch (mg of
maltose eq.)
Purple 77.8 107.0 98.5
Protein (%) Yellow 79.6 88.1 81.5
Purple 76.6 86.3 84.2

46. Proximate composition of weaning food (per 100 g)
Item Fat Protein CHO Mineral Energy Fibre
(g) (g) (g) (g) (Kcal) (g)
Nestum 1.0 6.0 86.0 0.7 373 2.7
Cerelac 9.0 15.0 68.9 2.7 419 1.4
WF with FT
9.7 10.4 26.0 2.0 232 0.34
millet
Mineral profile of weaning food (per 100 g)
Item Ca (mg) P (mg) Fe (mg) K (mg)
Nestum
120 100 18.5 90.0
Cerelac
510 380 7.5 470.0
WF with FT
millet 258 - 2.0 -

47. Proximate composition of roti from different
flours (per 100 g)
Item Moisture Protein Fat Mineral Crude fibre
(g) (g) (g) (g) (g)
Wheat flour
27.6 7.6 8.8 1.2 1.0
roti
Bajra roti 43.42 6.83 6.73 1.4 0.7
Maize roti 44.1 6.50 7.83 0.9 1.5
Ragi flour roti 26.2 6.8 1.5 4.4 2.6
Jowar flour
25.3 5.7 1.5 1.5 0.9
roti
Mixed flour
6.6 12.3 12.8 4.8 2.8
roti

48. Proximate composition of roti from different flours (per
100 g)
Item CHO Energy Ca Fe
(g) (kcal) (mg) (mg)
Wheat flour
54.2 326.0 30.0 3.4
chapati
Bajra chapati 40.7 251.2 25.0 4.7
Maize chapati 39.6 255.0 6.0 1.4
Ragi flour roti 58.5 274.5 175.0 2.2
Jowar flour roti 65.6 300.2 95.2 2.2
Mixed flour roti 60.5 406.7 554.4 2.9

49. Thank you