[10] FOOD AND NUITRITIONAL SECURITY OF MILLETS: A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: August 12, 2025, Revised: August 25, 2025, Accepted: Sep 02, 2025, https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v4i3.2025.116-126

Abstract

E Millets are small-seeded cereals that play a Pivotal role in ensuring food and nutritional requirements of people, especially among socially disadvantaged sections. There are many variants of millets like, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, and sorghum, by and large, millets thrive in arid and semi-arid climatic regions. Millets are staple food for several tribal communities. This study looks in to nutritional contents of millets such as dietary fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc which is prevent malnutrition and hence a disease-resistant life. The Study also focuses on how the millet cultivation can play a role in sustainable agriculture practice, improve soil fertility and increase biodiversity. Additionally, the study finds that millet farming can provide a sustainable source of income too for tribal communities. The overall objective of this study is to show that millet cultivation and consumption has the potential to replace conventional paddy and wheat farming for ensuring food and nutritional security of tribal populace, particularly in the emerging scenario of climate change and food-shortages. It therefore advocates concerted administrative and institutional policies and initiatives for promotion of millet farming of all varieties, their widespread consumption and all-round marketing.