one of the recent application of climate-smart is to increase crop production, yield as well as it resilience. the growth of crops in Arid or semi Arid region depends on the climate derivatives, the increase or decrease in water supply, increase in temperature, and increase in human population and their demand for food security in necessary. therefore, the location of the crop adaptation also determine to the large extend the growth and yield of the particular crops. in Africa is not easy to use adopt climate smart especially in the Arid region due to scarcity of water, high temperature and high evapotranspiration. But in areas around the Semi-Arid Environment (SAE) its a welcome idea. this will boost more crop production and serve as a food security to feed the growing population.

Dr Ibrahim Sufiyan thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Yes, millet is a climate-smart crop. It is tolerant to increased temperature, drought, and salinity, and can be cultivated in a wide range of climatic conditions, including drylands and marginal lands. This makes it a valuable crop for farmers in areas that are increasingly affected by climate change.

Climatic factors that support the growth of millet crops:

• Temperature: Millets are a C4 crop, which means that they are more efficient at using water and carbon dioxide than C3 crops, such as wheat and rice. This makes them better adapted to hot and dry climates. Millets can germinate at temperatures as low as 10°C and can grow in temperatures up to 45°C.
• Rainfall: Millets require less water than other cereal crops, such as wheat and rice. They can grow with as little as 250 mm of rainfall per year, making them ideal for dryland agriculture.
• Soil: Millets can grow in a wide range of soils, including poor and sandy soils. They are also tolerant of salinity and alkalinity.

Other advantages of millet crops:

• Nutritional value: Millets are a good source of protein, fiber, and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and calcium.
• Low input costs: Millets require less fertilizer and pesticide inputs than other cereal crops.
• Resilience to pests and diseases: Millets are relatively resistant to pests and diseases.
• Versatility: Millets can be used to make a variety of food products, including flour, bread, porridge, and snacks.

Millets are a sustainable and nutritious crop that can play an important role in addressing the challenges of climate change and food security.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Millet is being considered as a smart crop because it is tolerant to increased temperature and droughts can be cultivated in dryland areas and it requires low water footprint. Known as C4 crops, millets have higher efficiency in absorbing and utilizing carbon dioxide. Most varieties of millets are well known for their hardiness and have the capacity to withstand prolonged periods of drought, high temperatures and still produce grains and fodder. Tuber crops adapt to a wide range of agro-climatic conditions and give good performance even under marginal growing conditions. These crops cease tuber development as well as vegetative growth and become dormant during unfavorable conditions such as drought, flood, and heat-stress condition. Millets, a climate resilient crop, are a group of small-seeded grasses that have been cultivated for thousands of years in dry and semi-arid regions of the world. They are often considered a "climate resilient" crop due to their ability to tolerate extreme weather conditions, including drought, heat, and flood. Millet is possibly the best solution for “climate smart agriculture,” as it is easy to grow, much more versatile, and more climate-proof than rice or wheat. Millet is one of the oldest cultivated cereal crops in the world. Generally the Millets are grown in tropical as well as sub-tropical upto an altitude of 2,100m. It is a heat loving plant and for its germination the minimum temperature required is 8- 10°c. A mean temperature range of 26-29°c during the growth is best for proper development and good crop yield. Sandy and soft coloured Goradu soil is suitable for millet. Millet requires less rainfall, moderate temperature and an adequate amount of sunlight. Millets are environment-friendly grains and require less water and pesticides to grow and survive. Increasing millet production and consumption can be a great way to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the carbon footprint on the environment.