Millets of India and their significance in climate change scenario

Millets, including sorghum (Sorghum bicolor; jowar), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum; bajra), finger millet (Eleusine coracana; ragi), as well as foxtail, barnyard, kodo, little, and proso millets, have been recognized as climate-resilient cereals that have long been cultivated in India’s semi-arid and sub-humid regions. Considering their growing importance, a study was conducted in 2025 to document the significance of millets through field surveys in Odisha and a comprehensive review of existing literature. This study synthesised evidence related to agronomic, nutritional, environmental, and socio-economic aspects of millets in the context of climate change. The authors highlighted key physiological traits that contribute to millet’s resilience and compared their resource footprints and greenhouse gas (GHG) implications to those of water- and input-intensive cereals. The findings indicate that diversifying Indian farming systems with millets could reduce climate risks, stabilise yields during stressful conditions, reduce the demand for blue water, and improve household nutrition, particularly for smallholders, women, and those in marginal ecologies. Additionally, the authors recommend research and policy priorities that focus on climate-smart agronomy, formalising the value chain, enhancing public procurement, promoting behavioural change communication, and innovating circular postharvest processing methods.