Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]: A Minor Crop for Sustainable Food and Nutritional Security: A Mini Review

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is an orphan food grain crop grown in Africa and Asia for subsistence farming. The crop has wide adaptability, resilience to fragile ecosystems and has better tolerance to abiotic stresses in comparison to major cereals. The crop grains have excellent nutritional properties and medicinal importance. Grains are rich source of calcium, dietary fibre and essential amino acids particularly tryptophan and methionine. Polyphenols and tannins in the seed coat of grains although reduce the bioavailability of mineral nutrients but, has added advantage of providing antioxidant activity. Research in recent years has revealed its nutritional value and climate resilience, which has not only brought back the importance of this crop but it is now being designated as miracle grains, wonder grains and future crop.