Exploring Pearl Millet in the Arena of Climate Change

In the twenty-first century, achieving global food and nutritional security is difficult due to climate change and economic weaknesses. The dependence on three main food crops wheat, rice, and maize which account for 60% of all the plant-based calories consumed by humans threatens food security even more. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate additional native crops, often known as orphan crops, and discover alternative approaches to the problem of food security. In order to coordinate agricultural research across continents and increase the production of alternative nutritious crops and foods, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. One of the world's harshest warm-season cereal crops, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is grown mostly in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa for food, feed, fodder, and brewing. It is primarily grown for its high-quality, gluten-free grains with superior nutritious content. Pearl millet is a hardy plant that thrives in tough environments including low fertility, unpredictable rainfall, acidic and saline soils, and sweltering heat. The significance of pearl millet in climate change is highlighted in this article