Newly Launched Millet Food Finder Shows a Revolution is Underway
Millets have sometimes been hailed as the next quinoa but researchers collating a global database of millet products have found this ancient grain to be orchestrating a silent food revolution that could see quinoa outstripped. The “Millet Finder”, launched today (25 Nov 2020), discovered a surge in the use of millets, with over a thousand modern convenient products in a very wide range, across all the inhabited continents. Go to Millet Finder or Read More in the Media Release
THE 2021 FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT

TEDXVarese talk on The Challenge of Smart Food by Stefania Grando, Honorary Fellow, ICRISAT
COVID-19 Smart Food Message – Rebuilding the food system, but getting our priorities right!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are going to have to rebuild and overhaul our food system. How do we make it nutrition secure, secure for the most vulnerable in our society, and climate change and pandemic-proof? The solution lies in getting our priorities right, by placing nutrition, the environment, and the producers of food at the center of the discourse on transforming the food system and restoring equilibrium and equity. This means foods that are smart – good for you, planet and farmers and all producers – being at the center of the food system… See more
Smart Food Feature Articles
News & Updates

Jowar puffs or sorghum sticks — take your pick from a variety of yummy and healthy snacks Hyderabad’s Mego offers

Mahua and millet cookies: Marginalised rural women in Chhattisgarh bake and sell cookies made of traditional grains

It’s Time To Switch To The Nutrient-Rich Millet Flour: Everything You Need To Know About This Healthy Choice And 10 Delicious Millet Flour Recipes

Farmer’s secret to surviving drought: For subsistence farmer Sinikiwe Sibanda, planting more sorghum and millet than maize has paid off

Kodo Millet: Awareness Of Its Nutrient Value Raised, Demand Increased, Bajura Farmers Attracted To Production
![[The Turning Point] Why Soulfull founder quit his US job to bring millets back to supermarket shelves](https://www.smartfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Soulfull-400x284.jpg)
[The Turning Point] Why Soulfull founder quit his US job to bring millets back to supermarket shelves

Healthy and wise: Promotion of the production and consumption of nutri-cereals is a policy shift in the right direction.

PM Narendra Modi to also dedicate to the Nation 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of 8 crops

Promoting kodo and kutki millets for improved incomes, climate resilience and nutrition in Madhya Pradesh, India

National Nutrition Week: What Is NOVA Classification Of Food And How It Can Help In Making An Informed Choice?

Odisha Govt introduced Ragi Ladoos as Morning Snack for Preschool Children in Supplementary Nutrition Programme under ICDS’

National Consultation On Promotion Of Millets: Implementation Experience Under The Chairmanship Of Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Aayog

Millets and other ancient grains have been brought into the PDS system as well: Prashant Parameswaran

ICRISAT reveals power of millet legume blend: Researchers tested multiple combinations of different millet and legume varieties

Food System By The Numbers: Prepare To Be Startled: It’s time to align our diets with the environment, or face the consequences

Millet entrepreneur along with 14 other entrepreneurs recognized for breaking the rules of the F&B industry.

Govt. of India, Ministry of HRD, Department of School Education & Literacy shares a write up on the benefits of millets in safety net schemes and how to include in mid-day meal schemes

The changing meaning of millets: Organic shops and distinctive consumption practices in Bengaluru, India

What Is Sorghum and Why Should You Add It to Your Diet? This Gluten-Free Grain is a Nutritional Powerhouse that’ll Take your Meals and Miles to the Next Level

Replacing one serving of red meat a day with nuts, beans or whole grains could sharply lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, research suggests

Putting a smile back on the faces of people experiencing food and nutrition insecurity during the 2019 lean season in Burkina Faso

Sorghum and millet value chain project enhances uptake of improved research technologies and products in Kenya

ICRISAT ropes in UK varsity for research in genomics & modern breeding of Smart Food crops for health & nutrition.

Sorghum hybrid Developed using ICRISAT Breeding Material Received Special Recognition as Outstanding Forage Hybrid 2019

Rising Health Consciousness Amongst Consumers Is Creating A Niche: Prashant Parmeswaran, CEO And MD, Soulfull

Millet Sushi and Pumpkin Pineapple Dip recipes: An innovative way to add more millet to your platter

Climate-Friendly Smart Food Like Millets The Way Forward For Nutrition Mission: Dr Arabinda Padhee Of ICRISAT

Maharashtra dairies report drop in procurement as fodder, water crises intensify in drought-hit areas

Complementary Feeding of Sorghum-Based and Corn-Based Fortified Blended Foods Results in Similar Iron, Vitamin A and Anthropometric Outcomes in the MFFAPP Tanzania Efficacy Study

The EAT-Lancet Commission’s ‘Food Planet Health’, was released today at the headquarters of the FSSAI.

Baijiu Market: Innovative Products, Technological Advancements High CAGR During the Forecast Year 2019-2025

Nutrition And Health Are Important Drivers Of Growth, Community Participation Key To Fighting Malnutrition: Dr Rajan Sankar Of Tata Trusts

This healthy breakfast cereal brand sources millets directly from farmers; eyes 50k stores pan-India

Millet is getting some serious attention from cooks, brewers and researchers as it makes its way from the bird feeder to the menu (and the beer mug)
Good for You
- Finger millet has 3 times the amount of calcium than milk
- Very high in iron and zinc
- Low glycemic (GI) index
- Good levels of protein
- High in fiber and more
Good for the Planet
- Serve as an adaptation and mitigation strategy for climate change which is critical
- A low carbon footprint
- Survive in high temperatures
- Survive with very little water
Good for the Farmer
- A good risk management strategy for farmers
- Potential to increase yield
- Multiple, largely untapped uses from food, feed, brewing, and biofuels
- Potential to grow markets globally
About Smart Food
Smart Food is food that fulfil all criteria of being good for you (nutritious and healthy); good for the planet (environmentally sustainable); and good for the farmer (climate smart, potential to increase yields, multiple uses).
The key objective of the Smart Food initiative is to diversify staples across Africa and Asia. By focusing on staples, often 70% of the plate and eaten 3 times a day, Smart Food Initiative plans to have the biggest impact.
Six compelling reasons to switch to Smart Food

Help prevent/manage disease
- Diabetes – Sorghum and millets have low glycemic index and therefore help keep blood sugar levels stable.
- Osteoporosis – Finger millet contains thrice the amount of calcium as milk, making it a great food for building stronger bones.
- Anemia – The high iron content in pearl millet helps combat anemia.
- Hypertension – Sorghum and millets are rich in antioxidants and help fight age-onset degenerative diseases.

Care during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Pearl millet is high in iron, zinc and folic acid, which are critical for health of the mother as well as baby.
- Fermented millet products help to maintain a healthy digestive system due to their probiotic nature.

Quality nutrition for children
- Finger millet has three times the amount of calcium than milk. Calcium is essential for the growth of strong, healthy bones and teeth.
- Pearl millet and little millet are rich in iron which is important for making hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying red pigment in blood.

Be eco-friendly
- Each time you replace some of the high carbon footprint foods such as rice and meat with millet, sorghum and legumes, you make a climate-smart choice – a small contribution that adds up eventually.

Manage your weight
- Millets and sorghum release energy slowly, contain high fiber that keeps you full for longer periods and reduce cravings.

Increased energy levels
- Slow release of energy by Smart Food also means you have energy for a longer time, for greater endurance.