mall millets, big potential: diverse, nutritious and climate smart In South Asia, lack of dietary diversity is one of the key factors behind malnutrition and the prevalence of non‐communicable diseases such as diabetes. Small millets, grown as a complement to existing crops, could contribute to an answer. Performing well in marginal environments they have superior nutritional properties, including high micronutrient and dietary fiber content, and low glycemic index.
However, there has been a drastic decline in production and consumption of small millets mainly due to limited productivity, high drudgery involved in their processing, negative perceptions of smallmillets as a food for the poor and policy neglect when compared to other crops.
DHAN Foundation with its partners have been undertaking research-for-development projects to increase the production and household consumption of small millets since 2011.