Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
The United Nations and FAO recognize millets as critical tools in global malnutrition reduction strategies. The designation of 2023 as the International Year of Millets reflected their recognized potential to address 'hidden hunger' — micronutrient deficiencies that coexist with adequate caloric intake. A 2023 study in the International Journal of Plant and Soil Science confirmed millets as a 'Nutritional Powerhouse' addressing multiple dimensions of malnutrition simultaneously.
How millets combat different forms of malnutrition:
Protein-energy malnutrition: Millets provide 7–13 g protein/100 g, including essential amino acids for tissue synthesis and energy production.
Iron deficiency anemia: Pearl millet's iron content (>11 mg/100 g) directly addresses the world's most common nutritional deficiency affecting ~2 billion people globally.
Calcium deficiency / rickets: Finger millet's exceptional calcium content prevents rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults, particularly in communities without dairy access.
Zinc deficiency: Pearl millet provides >3 mg Zn/100 g, supporting immune function, growth, and wound healing in zinc-deficient populations.
Vitamin A deficiency: Pearl millet and sorghum provide beta-carotene, addressing Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) — a leading cause of preventable blindness in children.
B-vitamin deficiencies: Millets provide thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folate, and B12, addressing diverse B-vitamin deficiency syndromes.
Economic accessibility: Millets are among the most affordable nutrient-dense foods, making malnutrition prevention economically viable for low-income populations globally.
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