Sustainable Farming and Soil Health Enhancement through Millet Cultivation: A Review
Sumit Raj, Sagar Chaudhary, Nanasaheb Shahadev Ghule, Kirttiranjan Baral, Smruti Ranjan Padhan, Kunal Nitin Gawande, Vikash Singh
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science · pp. 222–233 · Published 10 Feb 2024
10.9734/ijpss/2024/v36i34418Abstract
Historically integral to Indian agriculture, millets are experiencing resurgence, driven by their adaptability to harsh climatic conditions and minimal resource requirements. The article explores the significant benefits of millets in soil nutrient management, demonstrating their ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils while contributing to soil fertility through organic matter addition and improved soil structure. The integration of millets in crop rotation and intercropping systems is highlighted as a sustainable practice that enhances soil biodiversity and reduces the reliance on chemical inputs. A key environmental benefit of millet cultivation is its low water requirement and drought resistance, crucial in water-scarce regions, making it a strategic crop for adapting to climate change. Also examines the socio-economic impacts of millet cultivation. In rural areas, millets play a vital role in livelihoods by providing a sustainable food source and income generation, particularly in marginal environments. However, challenges in market accessibility and supply chain inefficiencies pose significant hurdles. Increasing consumer awareness and acceptance of millets, once considered traditional or 'poor man’s food', is critical for reviving their cultivation. This is complemented by emerging research and technologies in millet cultivation, focused on developing improved varieties and precision agriculture techniques tailored to the needs of millet farming. The potential for scaling up millet cultivation is immense, particularly in regions facing environmental constraints. The article emphasizes the integration of millets into global sustainable farming strategies, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals. This integration is supported by international organizations advocating for millets in agricultural policies and programs. In conclusion, the review underscores the importance of millets in the context of global food security and sustainable agriculture. The growing importance of millets backed by research, policy support, and market trends, positions them as a key crop in the quest for a sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
References (13)
- 1 Environmental science and pollution research [DOI]
- 2 Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture [DOI]
- 3 Soil health: looking for suitable indicators. What should be considered to assess the effects of use and management on soil health? [DOI]
- 4 Food security, climate change, and sustainable land management. A review [DOI]
- 5 Methods of defining ‘sustainability’ [DOI]
- 6 Current applications of gluten-free grains – a review [DOI]
- 7 Integrated Farming Systems and the Livelihood Security of Small and Marginal Farmers in India and Other Developing Countries [DOI]
- 8 A Review on Nutritional and Health Benefits of Millets [DOI]
- 9 Modeling of Water Holding Capacity Using Readily Available Soil Characteristics [DOI]
- 10 Overlooked But Not Forgotten: India As A Center for Agricultural Domestication [DOI]
- 11 Soil Health Indicators: Methods and Applications [DOI]
- 12 Integrating conservation agriculture with intensive crop diversification in the maize-based organic system: Impact on sustaining food and nutritional security [DOI]
- 13 Crop diversification and saline water irrigation as potential strategies to save freshwater resources and reclamation of marginal soils—a review [DOI]
Cited by 16
Ritik Raj, Shailesh Kumar, Sweta Mishra · Tropical Plant Biology · 2025
Tanisha Maity · 2025
Yuqi Li, Meifeng Liu, Wenjie Zhao · BMC Genomics · 2026
Hanifa Mohammad Anwar, Mir Zahoor Gul, Kuruganti Naga Sai Susmitha · Journal of Food Composition and Analysis · 2026
P. Karthik, Sureshkumar Sujithra, K. S. Krithiga · Millets: A Sustainable And Nutritious Crop · 2026
Jinu Jacob, P. Sanjana, S. Srividhya · Sustainability Sciences in Asia and Africa · 2026
Avinash Sharma, Himanshu Pandey, Varucha Misra · Plant Breeding · 2024
Tesfahun Belay Mihrete, Fasikaw Belay Mihretu · Global Challenges · 2025
Violet Kanyiginya, Ronald Twongyirwe, David Mubiru · Land · 2025
Bishal Mukherjee, Ratnesh Kumar Jha, Abdus Sattar · Frontiers in Plant Science · 2025
Showing 11 of 16 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.
Related research
- Holistic Health Management: Nutrition, Exercise and Glycemic Index — shares topic coverage
- Levels of Awareness of Factors Leading to Obesity: A Case of Maamba Old Township in Sinazongwe District of Southern Province, Zambia — shares topic coverage
- Assessment of Food and Nutrient Provision within Prisons in the Ashanti Region of Ghana — shares topic coverage
- Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude and Dietary Restriction Behaviour of the Elderly in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria — shares topic coverage
- Nutritional Composition and Phytochemical Analysis of Aqueous Extract of Allium cepa (Onion) and Allium sativum (Garlic) — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
0
Page views
0
PDF downloads
0
Outbound clicks
16
Citations
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
No views recorded yet.
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
No traffic recorded yet.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.