Abstract:
Due to their nutritional value, major millets and minor millets are referred to as Nutri-cereals. These crops are short-lived and resource-efficient because they use little water, fertilizer, and emit little carbon during growth (Good for the farmer). Millets are locally grown health foods that have extra health advantages such as being a source of gluten-free protein, high in fiber, low glycemic index, and rich in bioactive chemicals. Nutri-cereals are a better option than cereal grains like rice and wheat because they contain a good amount of nutrients such as complex carbohydrates (Low GI), proteins with balanced amino acids, dietary fiber, good-quality invisible fat, and noticeably higher amounts of micronutrients like calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, B complex vitamins, and bioactive phytochemicals. Although millet’s nutritional benefits have been extensively documented, only traditional consumers in indigenous societies use it as food. This is primarily because there is no consumer-friendly, ready-to-use or ready-to-eat millet products like there are for wheat and rice. The recent resolution by the United Nations General Assembly to observe 2023 as the International Year of Millets to highlight the significance of nutrient-rich crops in climate-changing conditions is one step in that direction Additionally, the development of new processing equipment and technological advancements for the production of convenient foods from nutri-cereals are gaining recognition on a global scale. In this review highlighted the scope of production, processing, and rural business development opportunities for nutria-cereals from India to the world market.