Minor Millets as Alternative Crops for Rice Fallow Lands: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Millions of hectares of rice fields in India and Asia lie fallow after harvest, representing lost opportunities for food, income, and environmental balance. Minor millets—such as finger, foxtail, little, barnyard, kodo, and proso millet—offer a sustainable solution. With their short growth cycles, minimal water requirements, and ability to thrive on poor soils, these hardy “nutri-cereals” are ideal for rice fallow lands (FAO & ICRISAT, 2023). Beyond resilience, they restore soil fertility, curb erosion, build organic matter, and sequester carbon—making them climate allies and farmer-friendly crops (Singh et al., 2023). Economically, millets diversify income and meet the rising global demand for healthy grains, but adoption remains slow due to weak markets, low farmer awareness, and limited policy support (Jat et al., 2022). This review consolidates evidence on the ecological, economic, and nutritional value of minor millets, while outlining pathways—research innovations, capacity building, stronger value chains, and supportive policies—to unlock their potential. Promoting minor millets in rice fallows is not merely crop substitution; it is a pathway to climate-resilient farming, improved nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods.