Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has expressed his fascination for “an ancient family of grains called millets.” He also spoke about the importance of this grain and how it can help eradicate issues such as malnutrition in different parts of the world.
Bill Gates, in his recent blog, said that millets “ have been around for centuries, but they’re currently experiencing a resurgence—both for consumers who enjoy their taste and for farmers who appreciate how reliable they are to grow.”
He went on to add that when Europeans first arrived in West Africa, they regarded Fonio as “hungry rice” because it grew so quickly that one could eat it at times when other foods weren’t available. Currently, many people would probably call it a “superfood.”
“As climate change continues to make growing seasons more unpredictable, millets will become more important. Millets have many qualities farmers look for in a crop, and they could play a significant role in helping farmers adapt to a warming world. They can also help us fight malnutrition,” he added.
Have a look at his post below:
I’ve recently become fascinated by an ancient family of grains called millets. Here’s why: https://t.co/Pq7vtwIuH1 pic.twitter.com/1eRw9ShAH0— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 17, 2024
The 68-year-old also highlighted the importance of Fonio Millet in his blog. He stated, “Fonio is just one part of a much bigger family of remarkable ancient grains—the millets. You must have heard of finger millet. It’s a staple in Uganda and several parts of Tanzania and Kenya, and it’s beloved in India, where it is called ragi. Or maybe you’ve heard of teff, a long time favourite in Ethiopia, where it’s used to make injera. This crop is the only grain that is rich in vitamin C.”
“Fonio, in particular, is like farming in easy mode. You wait until a good rain comes, lightly till the soil to loosen it up, and then scatter the seeds on the ground. Two months later, you harvest the grain. Fonio is a great source of protein, fibre, iron, zinc, and several key amino acids. Finger millet has 10 times the calcium of wheat,” he continued.
He concluded his blog by asking, “In a world where food security is increasingly uncertain in some parts of the world, these foods could be a game changer. Having access to a high-quality nutrition source could help more kids’ development stay on track. So, if millets have so much going for them, why aren’t they eaten everywhere?”
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Bill Gates has spoken about his fascination for Millets.
Earlier this year, during his visit to India, he helped Union Minister Smriti Irani prepare millet khichdi.