Millets represent exceptional opportunities for climate-resilient agriculture in marginal and rainfed regions of India due to their inherent adaptability. Crops like pearl millet require only about 25% of the water needed for rice cultivation, and finger millet and sorghum show similar water efficiency. These hardy grains thrive in shallow, skeletal soils less than 15 cm deep and can withstand temperatures up to 45°C, making them ideal for drought-prone areas where other crops often fail. Their deep root systems allow them to access moisture from deeper soil layers during dry spells, providing resilience even when above-ground parts desiccate. This capability enables millets to act as contingent crops, capable of rebounding when favorable rainfall returns.

The nutritional benefits of millets add to their value in marginal regions. Finger millet contains 5–30 times more calcium than rice, and pearl millet offers 3–5 times more protein, minerals, and vitamins compared to wheat and rice. These attributes are particularly important for smallholder farmers, who dominate rainfed farming in India, where around 60% of farmers depend on rainfall rather than irrigation. Additionally, millets are naturally pest-resistant and require minimal pesticide application, making them cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Their long shelf life and ability to resist storage pests help ensure food security in regions with limited storage infrastructure.

Despite these advantages, challenges remain. Millet yields are typically much lower than those of rice—sometimes up to six times less—posing profitability issues for farmers. Low productivity results from limited availability of high-yielding varieties, inadequate access to quality inputs, and suboptimal agronomic practices. Labor-intensive cultivation and processing methods, often done manually and primarily by women, further reduce their attractiveness. The absence of mechanization, particularly in hilly and sloping terrains where millets are often grown, exacerbates these barriers and limits expansion.

Market and infrastructure constraints also hinder millet adoption. Weak market linkages leave farmers with limited access to buyers and fair prices. Inadequate storage facilities cause post-harvest losses, while poor transportation infrastructure delays market delivery. Additionally, price volatility discourages investment in millet cultivation. The scarcity of processing units restricts value addition, and many farmers struggle to source quality seeds consistently. Variability among millet varieties in grain size and processing requirements further complicates decentralized processing efforts.

Consumer awareness of millet’s health benefits remains limited. Higher retail prices compared to subsidized staples like rice and wheat reduce affordability, especially among low-income groups. Taste preferences and limited availability in mainstream retail channels further restrain market growth. Competition with widely available, government-supported cereals creates additional hurdles for integrating millets into regular diets.

Research and development gaps impede progress as well. Although genetic diversity exists, funding gaps and limited breeding programs constrain the release of climate-specific, high-yield millet varieties. Extension services are often insufficient, limiting the dissemination of improved cultivation knowledge. Farmers frequently lack timely access to best practices and technological support, which perpetuates low productivity and yields.

To overcome these challenges, efforts to enhance productivity through broadening the genetic base and breeding climate-adapted varieties are essential. Integrated crop management practices, including intercropping and crop rotations, can improve soil fertility and resource use efficiency. Establishing farmer producer organizations will empower growers to negotiate better prices and improve market access. Investing in local processing units with energy-efficient technologies can enhance value addition and income generation.

Policy support remains crucial. Crop-neutral policies that level subsidies and procurement between millets and water-intensive crops can encourage farmers toward more resilient options. Including millets in safety-net and nutrition programs boosts demand and consumption. Integrating millet cultivation with water conservation schemes and expanding infrastructure investments through state and central programs can provide the necessary support framework for millet systems.

Several successful models illustrate the potential of millet-based systems. The Odisha Millet Mission expanded from a few thousand hectares to over 53,000 hectares within five years by leveraging government support, community seed systems, and direct farmer subsidies. Karnataka’s revival of brown-top millet in drought-affected areas shows how farmer leadership can drive adoption. Tamil Nadu’s regional value chain initiatives demonstrate how linking producers, processors, and consumers can create sustainable markets.

Looking forward, integrating genomic tools, precision agriculture, and advanced breeding techniques will accelerate development of millet varieties combining high yield and climate resilience. India’s prominence in the global millet market opens export and international collaboration opportunities. Carbon finance and climate-smart agriculture initiatives offer additional incentivization for millet cultivation in marginal regions.

In conclusion, millets represent a transformative opportunity for enhancing resilience, food security, and livelihoods in India’s rainfed and marginal zones. While barriers related to productivity, markets, and awareness persist, coordinated interventions across research, policy, and value chains can unlock their full potential. Through integrated approaches, millets can become a cornerstone of sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture for millions of smallholder farmers.