Millets touted as climate-resilient superfood
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 08 2025: A science seminar on the theme "Millets for a Sustainable Future and Health" was organised by Science Unit of Department of Education (S) at Ram Lal Paul Higher Secondary School, Keishamthong, on Tuesday.

Delivering the presidential address, professor L Nabachandra of Department of Agronomy, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, stated that the seminar was organised in view of the growing importance of millets for future food security and its numerous health benefits.

Millets touted as climate-resilient superfood

He highlighted that agriculture today faces numerous challenges with climate change being most significant, adding that unpredictable weather patterns resulting from global warming have been impacting crop cultivation, making it increasingly difficult to grow a variety of crops.

He further stated that the staple foods commonly consumed by people such as wheat, rice, and maize, require large quantity of water for cultivation.

In contrast, millets need significantly less water.

In the absence of rainfall, cultivating rice, wheat, and maize often results in crop failure.

However, millets can thrive even during drought conditions, elaborated the professor.

"As there are predictions of a possible food crisis in the future, the cultivation of millets, which are likely to become an essential food source, is being given priority," said Nabachandra.

Additionally, millets are highly nutritious and offer numerous health benefits, helping the body defend itself against various diseases.

When compared to rice, wheat, and maize, millets provide greater nutritional value.

With the primary objective of educating students on the benefits of millets, the seminar was organised, he reasoned.

KVK, Imphal East head and senior scientist S Moli-bala was also present as guest speaker during the function.