Nepal is a small country between two countries India and China.It is ecologically divided into 3 regions Himalyan ,hilly and Terai region.Based on climatic condition it is divided into 5 regions;Tropical,subtropical,warm temperate,cold temperate and alpine.It is a hub of microclimatic condition and diversity.About 65.6 % people are involved in agriculture(MOAD 2014) and agriculture occupies 33.01 % of GDP (MOAD 2014).Generally cereals are grown in terai region of Nepal,vegetables and livestock are grown in Hilly region of Nepal and Fruits are grown in Himalayan region of Nepal.Our main staple diet is rice.So rice is most important cereal of Nepal and occupies first position in Nepal whereas millets occupy fourth position in Nepal.The medicinal and nutritional benefits are more of millet in comparison to rice but researches and documentations are few.
Millets are the small seeded annual grasses cultivated as grain crops as well as fodder crops ,especially on the marginal land in dry areas of temperate, subtropical and tropical region of Nepal. The millets include pearlmillet,prosomillet,fingermillet and foxtailmillet.Prosomillet is also known as white millet or hog millet or common millet.It has a genus Panicum and species milliaceum in the family Poaceae.It used to be a major staple crop in some uplands of Nepal but nowadays the polished rice has replaced it due to its heavy use.No farmers are interested in growing prosomillet.There are very limited documentations and research done regarding prosomillet in Nepal but it has many benefits which are medicinal or economic as a food guard in local level to country level in Nepal. Nowadays its cultivation is declining and limited to some farmers fields in scattered form as an interest.Many people are unknown about its identity ,benefits,role for securing food safety in Nepal.It is very unique and adapted to dry,infertile soil than any other crops.Moreever it can tolerate high temperature than maize and sorghum .It has deep roots which helps it to stand in such low and erratic rainfall.So it can grow in harsh environmental conditions which other crops cannot grow.So it is very unique from the method of its cultivation.It is very easier for its cultivation.But due to our focus on commercial motive rather than its nutritional motive it is not cultivated widely in Nepal like other cereals Rice,wheat and maize.It is neglected but it has huge benefits.This is a very serious issue.
Prosomillet is nutritionally rich thus it has many health benefits.Moreever we can use it as staple food.Even poor and marginalized farmers can grow this crop as it doesn’t need highly paid fertilizers and micronutrients.It doesn’t need protected environment for its cultivation as it can grow in harsh environmental conditions.It does not need specialized irrigation as it has deep roots which helps it to draw water from deep inside the soil.So it can be called as poor farmers friend.
Prosomillet is very rich in essential Phosphorus,Iron zinc and vit B-6.It is rich in calcium which strengthens bones.It has high magnesium content which maintains insulin level thus controlling type 2 diabetes.It has vitamin B-3 which fights against pellagra.It is rich in High density lipoproteins which metabolizes cholesterol and thus decreases cholesterol level in blood.It has lecithin which vitalizes our nervous system.It is excellent in fibre thus reducing constipation.Its starch content varies from 62 to 68 %.Its protein has high digestibility and more aminoacids in comparison to other cereals .It is also gluten free.
Thus prosomillet is nutritionally rich and can grow in adverse environmental conditions.It is a serious matter that it is underutilized and neglected.It can act as a best food guard in case of developing country like Nepal.It will help to some extent for strengthening food security of Nepal.Firstly well documentation is necessary for this crop.If it is done so it would be a best base for carrying out research in prosomillet so that its nutrient content would be more boosted.Still we are unknown about how many species of Prosomillet exists in our country.We are always focusing on major cereals like rice ,wheat,maize.Because of this there is a shadow for these minor cereals.Government has not paid attention to establish minor crops research station like that of major cereals .Moreever we should focus on preserving their germplasm because they are in state of extinction.Without germplasm their restoration would be impossible.We have well upadated technologies nowadays.So we can use such technologies for making people aware about this prosomillet and its benefits.Government should prioritize this crop as a major cereal and extend its marketing throughout the country and if possible outside the country.