Global Scenario of Millets Cultivation

Abstract

Millets are staple food in the developing world, especially in the drylands of Africa and Asia. Most of the millets are indigenous to Africa and later domesticated to other parts of the world. Globally, millets are cultivated in 93 countries and only 7 countries have more than 1 M ha acreage of millets. In general, more than 97% of millets production and consumption is by developing nations. It has been estimated that from 1961 to 2018 around 25.71% area under millets cultivation has been declined across the continents. However, global millet productivity has increased by 36% from 1961 (575 kg/ha) to 2018 (900 kg/ha). The average data of the last 58 years indicated that millet production reduced in most parts of the world, except Africa. The highest increment was recorded in West Africa, almost double than the 1960s. In Asia, although the area under millet cultivation has declined production trend showed a gradual increase, which led to productivity enhancement. In the Indian scenario, millet production was at peak during the 1980s, thereafter decreased gradually due to sharp reduction under cultivated area. India is the largest producer of millets with 37.5% of the total global output followed by Sudan and Nigeria. In terms of trade, the highest global import and export value of millets (155.26 and 127.60 million US$, respectively) were recorded during the year 2011–2017. The continuous downfall in the global area under millets may be attributed due to the area shifting for other crops, changed food habits, assured irrigation facilities, and ensured returns from major commercial crops.