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Foxtail millet in Uganda (& Kenya)
by Don Osborn 22 Mar '25

22 Mar '25

During the Millets Webinar this past Thursday, Zachary Louk mentioned a connection he had had with Malawi and Zambia, which resulted in some foxtail millet being tried in these countries. This reminded me of a longer term and more concerted effort to develop foxtail millet as a crop in Uganda. Some article and webpage titles and links, along with brief comments, are below. First, for those not familiar, foxtail millet (Setaria italica) was domesticated millenia ago in what is now China, and its cultivation spread west across Eurasia and south to South Asia in ancient times. It hasn't been grown as a crop until recently (apart possibly in North Africa?). Interesting that pearl millet, sorghum, and finger millet spread east out of Africa as far as China and beyond, but foxtail and proso millets only recently completed their journey to Africa (altho there was record of some proso cultivation for a period in the past in Sudan). Articles & webpages (text after * are my comments). Foxtail, aka "Chinese millet," seems to have been introduced by Ugandan initiative in 2010, and then incorporated into a larger effort with China and FAO. "Chinese millet storms Uganda," by Christopher Bendana, Africa-China Reporting Project, 25 January 2018 (originally published in the Ugandan paper, New Vision, in 2017) https://africachinareporting.com/chinese-millet-storms-uganda/ * Article discusses the introduction of foxtail by a former Ugandan agricultural minister in 2010, and subsequent work to evaluate it and make it available to farmers Also mentioned are local reception and possible impact on traditionally cultivated millets. The latter comparisons, however, seem to be between improved varieties of foxtail, and landrace varieties of traditional millets (more info would be helpful) Two articles in 2013, both behind paywalls, discussed the early stages of introducing foxtail in Uganda: - "Introducing foxtail millet in Uganda," Monitor, 16 July 2013 https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/introducing-foxtail-mill… - "Food Security - Uganda Looks to Chinese Millet," The Observer (Kampala) via AllAfrica.com, 21 July 2013 https://allafrica.com/stories/201307220777.html "FAO-China South-South Cooperation Project in Uganda Foxtail and Proso millet production to improve food and nutrition security," (No date; originally accessed in 2023), Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations (FAO) (United Nations / Multilateral body) https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/fao-china-south-south-cooperation-project-… * General description of the FAO-SSC Project in Uganda An FAO digital media page on the SSC project, dated 10.29.24: https://digital-media.fao.org/archive/UGANDA-2024--FAO-China-Uganda-South-S… Post by MAAIF Uganda (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries at Government of Uganda) on LinkedIn, apparently in mid-2024,: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maaif-uganda_sscuganda-activity-720910130778… * Recapitulates some of the FAO SSC info discussed in above links "Uganda boosts food security through South-South cooperation with China, FAO," Xinhua (News.cn), 2024-10-16 https://english.news.cn/20241016/84b8bd0be73d4279873d5315f8b95a4b/c.html * This gives updates on the FAO SSC, now evidently in its third phase. Mentions high-yielding varieties of foxtail millet and hybrid rice. This effort seems to be spreading, as another article on Kenya indicates: "Early maturing, high yielding and climate-smart Chinese millet enters Kenya," Farmers Review Africa, 11 Aug. 2023 https://farmersreviewafrica.com/early-maturing-high-yielding-and-climate-sm… This is actually history in the making. One might compare the spread of teff in the US in the last 40 years or so - primarily as a forage and hay crop, but also for food. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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Save the date: Webinar on foxtail millet & cover crops, 3/20/25
by Don Osborn 21 Mar '25

21 Mar '25

Our next Millets Webinar (on Zoom) will focus on foxtail millet and cover crops. It will feature Dr. Allen WIlliams of Understanding Ag and Mr. Zachary Louk of Green Cover. Date: Thursday 20 March 2025. Time: 11 am EDT / 8 am PDT. Foxtail millet is the second or third most cultivated millet in the world (depending on whether you count sorghum). An important food crop in parts of Asia and historically in parts of Europe, it has tended to be used for forage and as a cover crop in North America. It was once called "common millet" in this region. This webinar will consider foxtail, cover crops, and the intersection of the two. Lots of interesting questions about the benefits of this millet and its future. Zoom instructions below. Hoe to see you there! Don Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance Topic: NAMA Monthly Webinar Session Time: This is a recurring meeting . Next one, Thursday 20 March 2025 at11 am EDT / 8 am PDT Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86716347793?pwd=Fbp5YT9KNYKcum7obg94cExifEXrDE.1 Meeting ID: 867 1634 7793 Passcode: 340314 --- One tap mobile +19292056099,,86716347793#,,,,*340314# US (New York) +13017158592,,86716347793#,,,,*340314# US (Washington DC) --- Dial by your location • +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) • +1 305 224 1968 US • +1 309 205 3325 US • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) • +1 646 931 3860 US • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 360 209 5623 US • +1 386 347 5053 US • +1 507 473 4847 US • +1 564 217 2000 US • +1 669 444 9171 US • +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) • +1 689 278 1000 US • +1 719 359 4580 US • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 867 1634 7793 Passcode: 340314 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/keg1tuTYWl

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Cancellation of the Purdue GSA Global Millets Expo
by Don Osborn 18 Mar '25

18 Mar '25

We have heard from the Purdue University organizer / host of the GSA Global Millets Expo that the event, which had been scheduled for 11-12 April 2025, has been cancelled due to logistical issues in this "unprecedented time for universities." We are saddened by this cancellation, but look forward to other opportunities to collaborate with Purdue Department of Food Science and the GSA. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Invitation from Purdue U. to GSA Millets Expo
by Don Osborn 12 Mar '25

12 Mar '25

It is my pleasure to pass on a letter of invitation to the GSA Millets Expo (11-12 April 2025, West Lafayette, IN) from Prof. Senay Simsek, chair of the Department of Food Science at Purdue University. This and a flyer about the conference are attached. I also reproduce the text of Prof. Simsek's letter below. The webpage for the event is: https://ag.purdue.edu/events/department/foodsci/2025/04/gsa-global-millets-… The registration page for the event is: https://web.cvent.com/event/3be6ea1e-4022-4f42-87fe-f7b4823183cc/regPage:55… At least one member of NAMA is planning to attend what promises to be an important event for networking and information sharing about millets. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance (Text of Prof. Simsek's letter follows) "On behalf of the Purdue University's Department of Food Science, it is our great pleasure to invite you to the first GSA Global Millets Expo which will be held at Purdue University on April 11-12, 2025. We are looking forward to your attendance to present or showcase your products! "Throughout the two-day expo, you will have the opportunity to engage with keynote speakers who will share insights into the advantages of using millet in global food systems as well as the use of millet as a functional ingredient. The expo will feature an exhibition wheremany can showcase their products and share important information about millet's applications in food and agriculture. This event is designed to foster collaboration and promote millet as a key player in building resilient and sustainable food systems worldwide. "We truly look forward to welcoming you to Purdue University for this new event. We will discuss the role millet will play in the coming decades in our food chain and economies. "Thank you so much for your interest in the GSA Global Millets Expo. We are excited to have you join us here at Purdue University in spring 2025! "Sincerely, Senay Simsek, Ph.D. Professor and Head Dean's Chair in Food Science"

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Foxtail millet genome mapped
by Don Osborn 08 Mar '25

08 Mar '25

The complete genome (pan-genome) of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) has been mapped by an international team of scientists led by Prof. Xianmin Diao of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Prof. Michael Purugganan of New York University & New York University Abu Dhabi. This large-scale genomic analysis will assist research on this crop, from understanding its evolution and domestication, to breeding new varieties to help ensure food security. Three articles describe this research, but first, the research article itself: Qiang He, Sha Tang, Hui Zhi, Jinfeng Chen, et al. "A graph-based genome and pan-genome variation of the model plant Setaria." Nature Genetics 55, 1232–1242 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-023-01423-w The 3 descriptions: * "NYUAD scientists: this common crop is key in food security: Teams from three international universities, including NYU Abu Dhabi, unlock the genome of the widely-used cereal crop," by Nadine Fares Kahil, WIRED Middle East, 26 July 2024 https://wired.me/science/foxtail-millets-battle-for-food-security/ * "Chinese scientists decipher genome secrets of foxtail millet," XinhuaNet, 2023-06-09 https://english.news.cn/20230609/4cd34198a85b4d9d9e9bea6d51a1f510/c.html * "Scientists Map Complete Genome of Millet: New knowledge of ancient grain may enable breeding for climate change adaptation ," NYU (News Release), 8 June 2023 https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2023/june/millet-genome.ht… The research "also constructed the first graph-based genome sequence of *Setaria*, offering insights into genomic variation across wild and cultivated *Setaria*." (NYU) Foxtail millet is NAMA's #milletofthemonth in March. It is the second or third most cultivated of the #millets worldwide, being an important staple in parts of Asia. In North America it currently tends to be grown as a cover crop or for forage. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 38, Issue 1
by Gary Wietgrefe 04 Mar '25

04 Mar '25

Excellent discussion on U.S. food millets. Over 400,000 acres of proso millet grain is harvested annually in the U.S. and potentially available for use in glutin-free foods and beverages. However, until now there were no uniform grain fungibility standards in North America to segregate human millet from that used for bird and poultry feed, ethanol, mushroom, cover crops, or millet use for wild bird plots. That will change. A sixteen-page document has just been released by the North American Millets Alliance and submitted to USDA's Agricultural Marketing Services which will designate higher quality food grade proso millet from farm-to-buyer-to-processor. "Ancient Proso Millet Quality Grading Standards a Versatile Survival Grain" brochure is now available and submitted to regulators, inspectors, farmers, buyers, and seed breeders for immediate implementation. See (PDF) Ancient Proso Millet Quality Grading Standards final 021825 <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389547129_Ancient_Proso_Millet_Qua…> . Keep up this great discussion....Gary Wietgrefe On Sun, Mar 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM <collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > Send Collab mailing list submissions to > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space > > You can reach the person managing the list at > collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Sourcing proso for food (Re: Little Millet Seed Curator > Perspective) (Don Osborn) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2025 11:18:48 -0500 > From: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > To: Dipak Santra <dsantra2(a)unl.edu> > Cc: "Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS" <david.brenner(a)usda.gov>, > "collab(a)lists.millets2023.space" <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > Subject: [Collab] Sourcing proso for food (Re: Little Millet Seed > Curator Perspective) > Message-ID: > < > CA+RHibVVapk_S-bpBLma5QrZ-KNdGAQSLUx3oZX5_dsLnZKHhg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Thank you both for your added information on little millet and barnyard > millet. > > Regarding "food grade" grains, this could be a useful discussion. Are there > not some varieties with size or flavor characteristics that might be more > suited to food uses? "Food grade" may also be a reference to the quality of > the grain (remember Gary's proposed proso millet grain standards). > > Regarding sourcing proso for food, I used to get it from bulk bins at > stores like Whole Foods, until they stopped stocking it, or a local > independent grocer that sadly closed last year. Now I'll buy a packaged > brand, of which there are several containing US production (Eden Foods, > Anthony's, Grand Teton Ancient Grains, Bob's Red Mill, Shiloh Farms, Living > Now, and Relative Foods, to name a few), plus many more from India and > China. (Some other companies such as Arrowhead Mills markets proso millet > flour, but apparently not whole grains.) For examples of proso products, > see > https://www.pinterest.com/drdonosborn/millets-plural/proso-millet-proso/ > > Kudos to three of the American companies that give more complete > information than others on the identity of the "millet" in their respective > products. In each case, they give the species name; Eden and Grand Teton > also have alternative common names for proso - "yellow millet" & "white > millet," respectively): > * Eden Foods > > https://store.edenfoods.com/millet-organic-16-oz/?srsltid=AfmBOorL6tOIlzfn1… > * Anthony's Goods > https://anthonysgoods.com/products/anthonys-organic-hulled-millet > * Grand Teton Ancient Grains > > https://www.ancientgrains.com/shop/millet/15-lbs-organic-millet-white-hulled > > Don > > DO, EL, MI, US > NAMA > > > On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 5:36?PM Dipak Santra <dsantra2(a)unl.edu> wrote: > > > David: > > > > > > > > I agree with you about little millet and barnyard millet. Little millet > > porridge and barnyard millet pudding are yummy. > > > > > > > > There is not separate proso millet variety for human food. I eat the same > > bird feed proso millet variety that I eat once a week as rice (same as > > traditional Indian rice) or litter & lentil soup. > > > > > > > > Dipak > > > > > > > > *From: *Collab <collab-bounces(a)lists.millets2023.space> on behalf of > > Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS via Collab < > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > > *Date: *Friday, February 28, 2025 at 3:24?PM > > *To: *Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > > *Cc: *collab(a)lists.millets2023.space <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > > *Subject: *Re: [Collab] Little Millet Seed Curator Perspective > > > > *Caution:* Non-NU Email > > > > > > > > Don, > > > > > > > > Thanks for the encouragement. > > > > > > > > Little millet is fun to eat and a competitive choice for people with > > enough money to eat whatever they want to. Barnyard millet is also very > > edible. I have not tried a proso millet that was selected for human food > > use and I wonder if there is a food-proso that is better than North > > American varieties selected for high yield. > > > > > > > > I keep food millet at home in a chest freezer in the original plastic > > packages. > > > > > > > > David Brenner > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > *From:* Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > > *Sent:* Friday, February 28, 2025 12:54 PM > > *To:* Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS <david.brenner(a)usda.gov> > > *Cc:* collab(a)lists.millets2023.space <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > > *Subject:* Re: Little Millet Seed Curator Perspective > > > > > > > > Thank you, David, for these perspectives on little millet resources at > > your USDA station, and uses of its grain as food. > > > > > > > > Interesting to know of varieties that perform well in Iowa. (This Panicum > > species, of course, originated further south than its close cousin, > proso.) > > Are you aware of any experiments with little millet elsewhere in North > > America? (I understand that Dr. Raju Soolanayakanahally of Agriculture > and > > Agri-Food Canada has done some work with this millet: > > > https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/science/story-agricultural-science/scienti… > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/agriculture.canada.ca/en/science/story-a… > > > > ) > > > > > > > > I should also mention that Dr. Vetriventhan Mani of ICRISAT, who > > course was one of our webinar presenters on proso last week, also has > done > > significant work with little millet (mainly in India). See for example: > > > > * "The Big Potential of Little Millet," by Eric Hamilton, American > Society > > of Agronomy (via Phys.org) 12 July 2021 > > https://phys.org/news/2021-07-big-potential-millet.html > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/phys.org/news/2021-07-big-potential-mill… > > > > > > * Vetriventhan M, Upadhyaya HD, Azevedo VCR, Allan V, Anitha S. > > "Variability and trait-specific accessions for grain yield and > nutritional > > traits in germplasm of little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. > & > > Schult.)." Crop Science. 2021; 61: 2658?2679. > > https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20527 > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20527__;!!PvXuogZ4s… > > > > > > > > > > Regarding little millet purchased in the US, I've had mixed luck. The > > first batch worked well, cooked mainly as rice or as hot cereal mixed > with > > oatmeal. THe taste I compared as closer to rice than proso's "nutty" > > flavor. The second purchase seemed a bit old and in storage (I store in > > glass jars) started turning musty. Also got a pancake mix that used > little > > millet, which was good except I found it overly sweet (due to jaggery in > > the ingredients). > > > > > > > > All the best, > > > > > > > > Don > > > > > > > > DO, EL, MI, US > > > > NAMA > > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 1:57?PM Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS < > > david.brenner(a)usda.gov> wrote: > > > > Little Millet Seed Curator Perspective > > > > > > > > The US National Plant Germplasm Collection has 211 accessions of little > > millet (Panicum sumatrense) housed at the station in Ames, Iowa. All the > > accessions originated in India. They are widely adapted; most can mature > > seeds here in Iowa. > > > > > > > > The observation data on the GRIN online database is mixed with the > related > > proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) data. * > https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/cropdetail?type=species&id=226 > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/cropdeta… > >* > > > > Most of the little millet collection was grown and imaged in the field > > here in Iowa. Images and notes are posted. > > > > Here is an example: * > https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessiondetail?id=1358448 > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessio… > >* > > > > Examples of little millet accessions that are well adapted in Iowa. > > > > PI 463755 short > > > > *https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessiondetail?id=1358691 > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessio… > >* > > > > PI 463711 early > > > > *https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessiondetail?id=1358647 > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessio… > >* > > > > > > > > I purchase Little Millet grain at a grocery store in Des Moines, Iowa. It > > makes a nice tabouli since the grain size is like a fine grade of bulgar > > wheat. > > > > > > > > David Brenner > > David.Brenner(a)USDA.GOV > > > > > > Or: dbrenner(a)iastate.edu > > > > > > > > Plant Introduction Station phone > > 515-294-6786 > > > > Iowa State University > > > > > > 716 Farm House Lane, Ames, IA 50011-1051 > > > > USA > > > > > > > > *https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/search.aspx > > < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/search.a… > >* > > ? > > > > Curator of: Amaranthus, Celosia, Chenopodium, Coronilla, Dalea, Galega, > > Melilotus, Perilla, Portulaca, Spinacia, miscellaneous Umbelliferae, and > > the millets: Echinochloa, Panicum, and Setaria. > > > > Hatch Act NC7 Regional Project in the US National Plant Germplasm System > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely > > for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this > message > > or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the > law > > and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe > you > > have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete > > the email immediately. > > > > >

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Webinar on the genetics & breeding of proso millet, Thurs. 20 Feb.
by Don Osborn 23 Feb '25

23 Feb '25

This Thursday, February 20, at 11 am EST/8 am PST, NAMA will host a webinar with two prominent researchers on the genetics and breeding of proso millet: * Prof. Dipak Santra, Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln https://agronomy.unl.edu/santra/ * Dr. Vetriventhan Mani, Senior Genetic Resources Scientist, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) https://www.icrisat.org/public/about/team/dr-vetriventhan-mani Prof. Santra is the alternative crops breeder at the University of Nebraska. His program works on cultivar and germplasm development of existing alternative crops and developing new crops for semi-arid High Plains region. He has organized international conferences on proso (aka broomcorn) millet and millets in general. On Thursday, he will discuss "Proso Millet Breeding and Genetics Research in the USA." Dr. Mani's primary focus at ICRISAT's Genebank revolves around strategizing and conducting germplasm research to enhance the efficiency of conserving and utilizing this valuable collection. He has specialized in plant genetic resources, primarily focusing on eight dryland millets: sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, barnyard millet, kodo millet, and little millet. He will present on "Proso Millet Genetic Resources Conservation and Research." Please join us for insights into genetic resources of one of the most widely-cultivated millets, and how they're being used in crop breeding: ────────── Zoom Meeting, Thurs. 20 Feb., 11 am EST / 8 am PST https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87650498139?pwd=FcrFFyWmg1NOt916ykQzyNlfwbN2UD.1 Meeting ID: 876 5049 8139 Passcode: 423770 --- One tap mobile +16694449171,,87650498139#,,,,*423770# US +16699006833,,87650498139#,,,,*423770# US (San Jose) --- Dial by your location • +1 669 444 9171 US • +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) • +1 719 359 4580 US • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 386 347 5053 US • +1 507 473 4847 US • +1 564 217 2000 US • +1 646 931 3860 US • +1 689 278 1000 US • +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) • +1 305 224 1968 US • +1 309 205 3325 US • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) • +1 360 209 5623 US Meeting ID: 876 5049 8139 Passcode: 423770 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdojpyl4h4 ────────── Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Nutritional qualities of little millet: 3 recent articles
by Don Osborn 22 Feb '25

22 Feb '25

Little millet (Panicum sumatrense) is our millet of the month in February. Although it is in the same genus as proso millet (P. miliaceum), it is not cultivated on any scale in North America, but can be obtained in imported products.. Like other millets, it is touted for its resilience as a crop and for its nutritional qualities. And like other millets, it has its own particular characteristics .(For example, it's very high in dietary fiber.) Here are citations and abstracts for 3 research articles relating to little millet's nutritional aspects, by researchers from India, where most of its global production is concentrated. The first requires subscription, but the other two are open access. The first is from the perspective of neglected little millet crop varieties, the second considers how processing affects little millet's nutritional properties, and the third focuses on the therapeutic potential of little millet nutrients in treating obesity. 1. Debabrata Panda, Pramila Muni, Aloukika Panda, Kartik C. Lenka & Prashant K. Parida. *"Nutritional and nutraceutical richness of neglected little millet genotypes from Eastern Ghats of India: implications for breeding and food value."* *Planta* 259, 37 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04314-w ABSTRACT Little millet is an important small millet native to the Indian subcontinent and their nutritional value has been underutilized compared to other cereals. Its nutritional and nutraceutical profiling is essential to integrate the plants in developmental interventions. The present study evaluated comprehensive nutritional, nutraceutical and physico-functional properties of 14 selected little millet genotypes originated from Eastern Ghats of India and compared them with an improved variety (OLM 208) of the locality. The proximate compositions (per 100 g) showed significant variations, with moisture content ranging from 4.13 to 8.48 g, ash from 1.90 to 5.15 g, fat from 2.35 to 5.74 g, protein from 10.46 to 13.83 g, carbohydrate from 70.92 to 77.89 g, fiber from 2.03 to 7.82 g and energy from 372.8 to 391.1 kcal. These little millet flours are rich in phenol 5.37–12.73 mg/g, flavonoid 1.06–8.25 µg/g, vitamin C 12.72–22.86 µg/g, antioxidants 7.22–23.17%, iron 20.38 to 61.60 mg/ kg and zinc 17.47 to 37.59 mg/ kg. The first two components of principal component analysis capture 73.0% of the total variation, which reflected huge variability among the investigated genotypes. Maximum heritability and genetic advance were recorded in flavonoid, fiber, iron, zinc, phenol and vitamin C across the populations. Taken together, some indigenous little millet genotypes such as Mami, Kalia and Bada, were exceptionally rich in fiber, protein, energy, flavonoid, vitamin C and antioxidants and are nutritionally superior compared to other varieties from the locality. These nutrition rich little millet genotypes have ample opportunities for future breeding programs to enhance the cereal quality and hold great potential in food industry for making high value functional foods. 2. Annu Kumari, Pardeep Kumar Sadh, Ajay Kamboj, Babli Yadav, Anil Kumar, S. Sivakumar, Surekha, Baljeet Singh Saharan, Basanti Brar, Chhaya Goyal, Sanju Bala Dhull, and Joginder Singh Duhan,* "Exploring the Benefits of Nutrition of Little Millet: Unveiling the Effect of Processing Methods on Bioactive Properties,"* *Journal of Food Biochemistry*, 2025, 2488816, 25 pages, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1155/jfbc/2488816 ABSTRACT "Many terrible illnesses and disorders that modern man is dealing with today were not even known to ancient man. The only factor contributing to this disastrous situation is dietary habits. Thus, by avoiding and controlling them, replacing meals high in empty calories with nutrient-dense millets helps to alleviate the combined burden of contemporary metabolic illnesses and malnutrition. Because millet contains various nutrients, including proteins, minerals, lipids, vitamins, phytochemicals, dietary fiber, and complex carbohydrates, it positively impacts the immune system. Among whole millets, little millet (Panicum sumatrense) is one nutritious millet that contributes significantly to the supply of macro- and micronutrients and bioactive substances, including phenols, tannins, and phytates. However, some processing techniques, such as germination, fermentation, milling, and extrusion, impact little millet’s nutrients and bioactive chemicals by increasing or decreasing these phytochemicals. These nutrients and bioactive substances have physiological and beneficial properties related to health, such as weight management, antioxidants, antidiabetics, anticancer, antiobesity, and cardiovascular disease potential. It is also beneficial in preventing the risk of inflammatory, antirheumatic, and chronic disorders, as it possesses various value-added bioactive compounds such as kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin. Little millet also contains some antinutrients such as tannins, oxalate, trypsin inhibitors, and phytate. These substances bind to the necessary nutrients, rendering them unavailable or limiting their utilization. The nutrients, processing effects, bioactive compounds, and health advantages of these compounds in little millet are all summarized in this paper." 3. Lakhani Komal G., Hamid Rasmeih, Gupta Sheetal, Prajapati Poojaben, Prabha Ratna, Patel Saumya, and Suthar Kirankumar P., *"Exploring the therapeutic mechanisms of millet in obesity through molecular docking, pharmacokinetics, and dynamic simulation,"* *Frontiers in Nutrition*, Vol. 11, 2024 URL= https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1… DOI=10.3389/fnut.2024.1453819 ISSN=2296-861X ABSTRACT "Obesity, a prevalent global health concern, is characterized by excessive fat accumulation, which confers significant nutritional and health risks, including a shortened lifespan and diminished wellbeing. Central to the regulation of energy balance and food intake is the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein, which modulates the interplay between caloric consumption and energy expenditure. Given its pivotal role in obesity regulation, the identification of effective inhibitors targeting the FTO protein is imperative for developing therapeutic interventions. Currently available anti-obesity drugs are often plagued by undesirable side effects. In contrast, natural plant-derived bioactive compounds are gaining prominence in the pharmaceutical industry due to their efficacy and lower incidence of adverse effects. Little Millet, a traditional cereal known for its rich nutritional profile and high satiety index, was investigated in this study using molecular docking and dynamics simulation approach for its potential as an anti-obesity agent. Our research demonstrates that four bioactive compounds from Little Millet exhibit superior binding energies ranging from 7.22 to 8.83 kcal/mol, compared to the standard anti-obesity drug, orlistat, which has a binding energy of 5.96 kcal/mol. These compounds fulfilled all drug-like criteria, including the Lipinski, Ghose, Veber, Egan, and Muegge rules, and exhibited favorable profiles in terms of distribution, metabolism, and prolonged half-life without toxicity. Conversely, orlistat was associated with hepatotoxicity, a reduced half-life, and multiple violations of drug-likeness parameters, undermining its efficacy. Molecular dynamics simulations and Gibbs free energy assessments revealed that the four identified compounds maintain stable interactions with key residues in the FTO protein’s active site. We propose further validation through extensive In vitro, In vivo, and clinical studies to ascertain the therapeutic potential of these compounds in combating obesity." -- Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US North American Millets Alliance

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Notes re NAMA communication strategy
by Don Osborn 18 Feb '25

18 Feb '25

Here's a quick review of three (or four) elements in our approach to communications: Firist, a number of subscribers to this list - Collab - are also on our mailing list, compiled mainly of people who registered for the IYM2023 Millets Webinars. This list of almost 700 contacts was put together by our former colleague, NAMA co-founder Jonathon Landeck. We have just entered that list of contacts into the new NAMA account with Audienceful.com. The purpose is to facilitate its appropriate and limited use for communication about key activities of NAMA and major news about millets in North America. A mailing just went out to that list today regarding the upcoming Feb 20 Millets Webinar. That also included a note about our dedication to the security of your data, and Audienceful's privacy and GDPR policies. Secod, the Collab list is intended as a discussion list, of course, and a place for deeper dives into various topics about millets. It also features announcements of events, sometimes as early notices. The number of subscribers on Collab is almost 90 people. And third, we also maintain an active page on LinkedIn that has over 1200 followers. There we also feature announcements of events, and a selection of general interest items on millets that also go to Collab. So altho there is some overlap among these three - the mailing list, Collab, and the LinkedIn page - they serve complementary purposes in our communication strategy. NAMA also has a Facebook group, but we haven't done much with it since 2023. If you use FB regularly, and would like to become active on that group, that would be helpful. https://www.facebook.com/groups/243364207975357 Don Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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Millets Webinar, 20 Feb. 2025 (Save the date!)
by Don Osborn 12 Feb '25

12 Feb '25

We're pleased to inform you all that the next Millets Webinar in our 2025 series will feature Prof. Dipak Santra, of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Dr. Vetriventhan Mani of the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). These distinguished guests will each share insights into their work on proso millet breeding and genetics. This will be on Thursday 20 February at 11 am EST / 8 am PST. Additional information, including the Zoom connection details is coming. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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