Minor millets in South Asia: Learnings from IFAD-NUS project in India and Nepal

The publication reports the experiences and results of UN Programme supported by IFAD (‘IFAD NUS I Project’) implemented in India and Nepal from 2002 to 2004. It is a useful analysis of challenges and opportunities across the value chains of minor millets in south Asia and how these have been addressed through community-based and highly participatory approaches. The document describes latest findings on the status of minor millets in these countries, their ex situ and in situ conservation, improved cultivation techniques, harvest and post harvest methods, value addition methods, nutritional profiles of raw and processed products, enhanced food technology, their deployment in school feeding programs as well as methods tested out with success for enhancing marketing. Recommendations for enabling policy frameworks have been also proposed for a more sustainable and equitable use of these species. All activities have been designed and implemented with a special focus on women and their empowerment and to that end, the lessons learnt with regard to the establishment of Self Helps Groups are particularly significant. The book is highly recommended for all Agencies and workers engaged in promoting minor millets in India and Nepal and all other countries in south Asia where these marginalized crops represent a strategic livelihood asset for fighting poverty and nutrition insecurity within a climate changing scenario.