As climate change forces disruptive changes in farming cycles and malnutrition emerges as an even bigger crisis, these ancient super grains could become increasingly significant in the future, says Bill Gates in a recent blog
In a recent blog post, Bill Gates says how millets have been gaining popularity among consumers and farmers alike. He believes that with the growing concerns about climate change, millets will become even more significant in the near future.
Gates emphasised the potential of fonio millet, explaining how it thrives in diverse climatic conditions and is easy to cultivate, making it an appealing crop. He expressed his fascination with millets and their promising role in combating issues such as malnutrition in various parts of the world, instilling a sense of hope for a better future.
According to Gates, farming fonio millet is a straightforward process that requires minimal effort. Farmers only need to wait for a good rain, loosen the soil, and scatter the seeds on the ground. Two months later, the harvest is ready to reap. This simplicity empowers farmers, making them feel capable of contributing to the solution of global issues.
Gates underscored the significance of crops like millets, which will become increasingly crucial as climate change disrupts growing seasons. This highlights the urgency of the situation, motivating the audience to consider the role they can play in addressing these issues.
Gates also mentioned ragi in his blog and mentioned that the grain is a staple in countries such as India, Uganda, and certain parts of Kenya and Tanzania.
Fonio is just one part of a much bigger family of remarkable ancient grains: the millets. "Perhaps you've heard of finger millet. It's a staple in Uganda and parts of Kenya and Tanzania, and it's beloved in India, where it is called ragi. Or maybe you've heard of teff, a longtime favourite in Ethiopia where it's used to make injera," he wrote.
This, however, is not the first instance in which Gates speaks about or uses millet in his daily life. In March last year, he cooked millet khichdi with Union Minister Smriti Irani in a bid to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets.
India has been consistently trying to increase millet production and pushing for global cultivation and consumption.