ABSTRACT
Food and nutrient insecurity are threats to human survival, and in the wake of climatic modifications, water scarceness, increasing world population, and rising food prices, there exists an urgent need to broaden the food basket by making use of underutilized crops. Millet is an underutilized cereal in the semi-arid tropics. It is mostly a staple crop with a major protein and energy source for approximately 130 million individuals in Africa’s sub-Saharan regions. It also contains folic acid, Vitamins A, B1, B2, and B5. Pearl-based composite flour can be developed to provide an alternative to 100% wheat flour for bread. Despite these benefits, millet has not yet received much attention in research studies to improve it as a fortified crop and broaden its use in the human diet. The lack of attention has also resulted in dwindling production levels over the years. Millet is still generally regarded as “the poor man’s food” but has a very great potential in food and nutrient security. This chapter focuses on the potential of millet as a food and nutrient security crop, crop origin and varieties, production, and nutritional and functional benefits of millet.
