Biotechnology of millets: Current scenario and future prospects

Millets are a resilient and climate-smart alternative to conventional staple crops such as rice, wheat, and maize. Their ability to survive in arid and semi-arid regions, coupled with their resistance to drought, high temperatures, and poor soil conditions, makes them a valuable crop in the face of climate change. In addition, millets require lower inputs, such as water and fertilizers, reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture. They provide significant nutritional benefits and are rich in fiber, essential micronutrients such as iron and calcium. They have a low-glycemic index. The genetic diversity within millet species allows for the development of improved varieties with enhanced stress tolerance and higher yields. By integrating millets into mainstream agriculture and global food systems, policymakers and farmers can enhance food security, mitigate the risks associated with climate change, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Much work has been done on some millets such as Eleusine coracana (Finger millet), Pennisetum glaucum (Pearl Millet), Setaria italica (Foxtail millet), and Paspalum scrobiculatum (Kodo Millet). However, some other millets are not very well researched. The importance of millets in ensuring global food security is widely recognised. India is the highest producer of millets, contributing to 43% of the world’s millet production in the year 2024. With an area of 9163754 ha (FAOSTAT data of 2023) under millet cultivation, India is globally well-positioned to be a contributor to the world’s food security. This review highlights the significance of millets and recent advancements in biotechnology, with a focus on micropropagation, genetic transformation, and genome sequencing.