How Millets Can Help In Food Waste Reduction ?

Food waste is a global challenge whose impacts could be catastrophic to our planet and economies. In 2022, as per reports by UNEP, global food waste was estimated to be 1.05 billion metric tons, 19% of the total food production ^[1].

India is especially affected, producing nearly 78,192,338 million tonnes of food waste from households and approximately 55 kg per capita annually ^[2].

The consequences of food waste not only entail material loss but also debilitating negative impacts on the environment. When they decompose in the landfill, methane, with approximately 80 times stronger warming potential than CO2, is released into the atmosphere.  ^[3]

But there is a silver lining in this cloud of waste. Millet has provided the solution to this worrying issue. Let us analyse each of its aspects in detail.

What is Food Waste?

Food waste refers to food that is safe for consumption but discarded or lost. It occurs at two critical stages: post-harvest losses, particularly of grains and perishables like fruits and vegetables, and consumer-level wastage.

“Food loss,” “food waste,” “biowaste,” and “kitchen waste” are often used interchangeably. However, there are two main types: food loss and food waste ^[4].

Additionally, the European Commission (2014) categorises food waste into three types: ^[5]

• Food Losses
• Unavoidable Food Waste
• Avoidable Food Waste

Such food waste has a social, economic, and environmental impact, including a loss of farmers’ income and increased food insecurity. It also adds strain to water resources and causes soil eutrophication.

Addressing Global Challenges and Food Insecurity

In this regard, alternative crops like millets, which are highly nutritional and a major source of proteins, essential amino acids, dietary fibre, and important minerals, have become a promising option ^[9].

How Can Millets Contribute to Reducing Food Waste

Cereal is the staple food for most people in developing nations, where 60% of its total energy requirement is obtained from cereal grains. In this regard, millets are considered the fifth most important cereal grain crop globally ^[10].

Let us understand how we can make the most use of millet in reducing food waste and improving food and nutritional security:

1. Millets for Effective Meal Planning and Minimising Food Wastage

From the aforementioned, food waste at the consumer level is influenced by various factors, one of which is plate waste. This tends to happen because of overeating or improper planning. Adding millet to our balanced diet could contribute substantially here.

• Millets are slowly digestible, aid in hunger satisfaction, and increase energy levels, thereby prolonging the feeling of satiety or fullness, even when consumed in smaller amounts.
• The insoluble dietary fibre present in millet increases the transit time in the small intestine, which retards the absorption of carbohydrates. It also reduces the rate of release of glucose and its absorption, thus easily satisfying hunger for an extended period of time and lowering overall food consumption ^[11]. 

Also, millet-based foods can be recycled, and the leftover meals will not be a problem at all. For instance, you could make uthappam from millet porridge prepared the previous day or steam idlis from the same. This makes it possible for the other millet meals to be prepared with the remaining stocks, hence minimising the chances of them being dumped.

To support this careful meal planning, Aashirvaad offers tools to help you become more aware of your body’s needs.

 Meal Plan Example:

• Millet porridge (easy to portion and keep well).
• Millet-based dosa (leftover batter can be refrigerated and used).
• Bajra khichdi (light, digestible, and avoids excessive leftovers).

To help you make sure that your nutrition and dietary fibre requirements are being met, try the Aashirvaad’ My Meal Plan’ test.

It allows you to track the daily fibre content of your meals while offering personalised meal plans that fit into your existing dietary approach so you can eat healthy and not waste food.

2. Shelf Life

Millet grains in their natural form can be stored for a long time compared to the ground form.

Mud rhombuses, earthen bins, underground pits, and aerial storage in knotted bundles are traditional storage methods for whole millets, preserving them for 4 – 5 years with minimised bug attack and moisture accumulation ^[12].

This results in low contamination rates and reduces losses experienced by the products while in storage. These characteristics may make them ideal for the world’s more tropical and less developed regions.

3. Processing

Several processing methods are employed to extend the shelf life of millet flour and other millet products, including preservatives, heat treatments, and mechanical processing to control enzymatic activities that lead to microbial growth.

For example, when stored under typical conditions, pearl millet (bajra) flour, which contains a higher fat content, starts to deteriorate within 10 to 15 days. As a result, practices such as fermentation, soaking, and malting form the basis of millet-based product processing to improve its bioavailability and shelf life. ^[13]

What are some unique processing methods that maintain millet’s nutritional value while minimising environmental impact and reducing food waste?

4. Water Efficiency of Millet Crops

Increased competition for water as a resource is an emerging problem in India and, more so, in the agricultural sector. It is estimated that 55 million people globally suffer from the consequences of drought every year, and it is considered the most severe threat to agriculture and livestock in all regions ^[20].

Millets have low water requirements and are well adapted to grow in drought and non-irrigated conditions ^[21].

For instance, finger millet (ragi) and pearl millet(bajra) need 350 mm of water for irrigation, while sorghum (jowar) needs 400 mm of water ^[22].

Also, millet has higher water use efficiency (WUE). WUE quantifies the yield of biomass or grain per unit of water the plant uses ^[23].

 For example, neither pearl millet (bajra) nor barnyard millet (sanwa) experienced a reduction in WUE when compared to control conditions during drought. ^[24]

Thus, such studies show that millets can sustain periods of low water supply without any changes in water usage capacity. These factors reduce resource and food loss during production, especially in areas prone to drought, semi-arid regions, and those affected by climate change impacts.

Easy Tips for Consumers to Reduce Food Waste

• Store food properly, like keeping fruits in the fridge to extend freshness.
• Use leftovers in new recipes, such as turning yesterday’s rice into fried rice.
• Know the difference between “best before” and “use by” dates to avoid tossing safe food.
• Compost food remains instead of throwing it away, like using vegetable peels and coffee grounds in a compost bin.
• Educate yourself about portion sizes to avoid over-preparing meals
• Donate surplus food to the needy or local charity groups.
• Plan meals to avoid impulsive purchases and buy only what you need for recipes. 

By incorporating millets into your diet through products like Aashirvaad Multi Millets Mix Atta, you can enjoy the benefits of nutrient-dense grains and build sustainable eating habits.

This mix, made from five nutrient-rich millets like jowar, bajra, ragi, navane, and quinoa, provides a powerhouse of proteins, vitamins, and dietary fibre.

Incorporating Millet in your diet along with following sustainable practices like proper food storage, creative use of leftovers, and meal planning, shall lead you in the way to reduce environmental impact, save money, and nourish your body as well.

Circular Economy in Millets

The notion of a circular economy is slowly becoming popular as a sustainable model of agricultural practices, especially with reference to millets  ^[25].

• Millets support soil rejuvenation through mixed farming and recycling of grain straw, thus mitigating post-harvest food loss.
• Incorporating millets into farming can help us achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
• As such, this model puts more focus on resource efficiency and waste reduction to reduce food wastage and environmental sustainability while encouraging economic growth.

Value Added Products  ^[26]

The post-harvest processing of millets converts raw grains into different edible products while upgrading their quality and marketability. Primary processing methods yield a range of edible products and include:

• Nutrition-dense sprouts.
• Ready-to-eat meals (includes pre-cooked, seasoned).
• Polished grains.
• Whole or dehulled grain flour.
• Flattened or rolled flakes for quick cooking.
• Crispy puffed or popped grains.
• Fermented products that extend shelf life, flavour and digestibility.

Millet is an excellent option for those who are on a diet as you may use this grain to prepare a variety of dishes such as khichdi, laddu, buns, noodles, bread, dosa, or even muffins and pizza bases.

To ensure these millet-based products suit your digestive system, Aashirvaad has the Digestive Quotient Test. This quick and easy 2-minute quiz, developed by a team of expert dietitians, will reveal your digestive score out of 100.

Learn more about your digestive health and make wise decisions to maintain your healthy, happy tummy.

Waste management ^[27]

Crops like millet have large quantities of by-products, which include husks and straw, and have a great scope for resource recovery. These materials can be upcycled through innovative ways to become useful as the following items:

• Bio-composite materials
• Animal feed

Recycling millet waste is essential for enhancing the sustainability of the entire millet supply chain, as it helps reduce food waste at various stages of the process.

Opportunities and Challenges ^[28]

Recent research highlights that growing interest in healthy eating is driving consumers to adopt millets across three key segments:

• Wholesome addition to balanced diets:  Millets are increasingly being recommended by health professionals for their nutritional benefits, as they are rich in fibre, vitamins, and essential minerals. All such factors make millet an ideal choice for those seeking healthier options.
• Lifestyle condition management: Millets are recognised for their low glycemic index and high nutrient and antioxidant content, making them suitable for managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and PCOS.
• Fitness and health management: As consumers become more health-conscious, millets are gaining popularity as a nutritious alternative for weight management and overall wellness. Their adaptability allows for various cooking methods, from nutritious breakfasts to wholesome snacks, making healthy eating both practical and enjoyable.

The rise of millet-based products such as pizzas, noodles, and baking mixes, particularly in metropolitan areas, highlights their broad appeal and potential to cater to modern dietary preferences. 

Brands like Aashirvaad understand the necessity of customised nutritional requirements.

And we can help you get personalised counselling from our expert dietician consultation, who knows your special health requirements and can guide you accordingly. Whether you have a health issue or are simply striving for better wellness, we want to empower you to live confidently.

Takeaway

Millets support the zero-waste approach and help close the circle of the food cycle. They provide for longer shelf lives, consume fewer resources, and help utilise by-products, promoting a circular economy in food production and helping achieve zero-waste initiatives.

No longer are millets seen as grains of people with low incomes; instead, consumers are opting for them as health-conscious choices. On the consumer level, millet greatly reduces food wastage.

People are likely to shift towards eating portion-controlled and high-fibre meals, thereby contributing to daily sustainable lifestyle choices. The change is reflected in a gradual increase in the consumption of millet-based products by making an effort to include them in all kinds of cuisines and dishes like pizzas, noodles, and baking mixes, in urban areas. ^[29]

By adopting sustainable practices to support millet, both farmers and consumers can benefit from reducing food waste and the overall environmental impact of agriculture. This has implications for all corners of the supply chain.

Millet-based diets and agricultural practices are good for health and the planet. By adopting millet, we can at least make some headway toward a path where nothing goes to waste: a sustainable option for both people and the earth.