Weighing on Millets for Food Habit Transition – Insights from Communities and Cultures

Millets are arguably regarded as the first and most widely domesticated crops for human consumption. However, over the years, there has been a marked shift in preference towards more sophisticated crops, specifically wheat and rice, leading to the categorization of millets as coarse grains. Notably, the success of the Green Revolution in India, which significantly enhanced food security for millions, has contributed to the marginalization of millets in essential diets. Recently, millets have regained prominence in food groups due to their nutritional value. This article reviews the transformation of millets, once considered coarse grains and food for the impoverished, into a superfood embraced by affluent segments of society. The paper examines the cultural significance of millets across the Indian subcontinent and seeks to establish millet crops as staple foods. Recommendations are provided to promote millet consumption, aiming to integrate it into the staple diet rather than relegating it to a temporary dietary trend.