Role of Millets in Animal Nutrition

Introduction

Two years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted India’s resolution to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets. It offers numerous benefits to farmers, consumer health, foreign trade, the environment, and the country’s overall economy.

Millets are small seed grasses and cereal crops native to India, Africa, and other Asian countries where India is the largest producer in the world. Multiple varieties of millets are produced in the country such as Pearl Millets (Bajra), Sorghum (Jowar), Finger Millet (Ragi), Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard, Proso, Little Millet, and Pseudo Millets like Buckwheat and Amaranths.

With better awareness, there is a rise in millet cultivation and consumption, particularly in India. It is a tough crop that can be cultivated in hot, drought-prone, or semi-arid regions, unpredictable climates, and nutrient-depleted soils.

Animal nutrition in India primarily comprises agricultural wastes like rice/wheat hay, oil cakes, corn silages, brans and/or pellet feeds, premixes, and supplements. Millets can be promoted in animal husbandry especially at last-mile rural areas and make the farmer self-sufficient by ensuring a sustainable income source despite the uncertainties in agriculture.

The states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, etc. actively involved in animal husbandry and dairy, and contribute to millet production with higher cultivation rates. Therefore, it is an apt time to understand the benefits of millet for animals and their nutrition costs or nutritional values. This can create a sustainable value chain and an economic & environment-friendly approach to animal husbandry.

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By : Saloni Godbole, Occamy Feeds