Revamping millet production to unlock Nigeria’s potential in $11bn millet market

By Onome Amuge.

Experts and stakeholders in the agriculture sector have identified the need to explore more opportunities  in the sector by improving the production of millets as a significant way to  not only address hunger and malnutrition in the country, but also rake in substantial revenue in the world market.

Global market analysis estimates that the millet market size is expected to grow from $11.02 billion in 2023 to  $13.80 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.60 per cent between 2023-2028.

According to Mordor Intelligence, a leading market research firm, millets comprise various small portions of cereal such as sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet, barnyard millet, proso millet, and little millet, and are cultivated in adverse and diverse climates in dry, semi-arid, and sub-humid agriculture areas in over 32 million hectares worldwide. India, Niger, and China are the largest millet producers in the world, accounting for more than 55.0 per cent of global production.

Market reports show that in recent years, millet production has increased dramatically in Africa as many countries encourage dryland agriculture due to low water availability and subtropical climatic conditions favoring millet production. This is as millets are often the only crop that can be harvested in arid areas during the dry season, and they can thrive in very poor soil conditions. Moreover, by providing land cover in arid areas, millets further reduce soil degradation and help support biodiversity and sustainable land restoration.

Furthermore, the gradual shift in consumer food preferences from junk foods to nutrient-rich sustainable  foods like millets and their derivatives to boost immunity and health, has increased the demand for millet-based products globally, which is anticipated to drive the millet market. AS a result,millet-based recipes are  gaining popularity globally and has led to millets being extensively used in the production of confectioneries,cakes,biscuits among others.

In Nigeria, especially in the northern region where the majority of the country’s production is concentrated, millet is eaten locally as a staple food and is used in the production of “kunu” (millet drink) and also in the production of “Fura da nunu” (fermented milk-cereal mix),as well as millet pap.

Medical practitioners have also noted that millet has a lot of immense nutritional benefits, with a nutritional profile that includes calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, fibre, and lots more, making it a very healthy component in daily diets.

The World Food Programme (WFP), in a 2022 policy brief, noted that  millets are traditionally and culturally accepted staple food that require very low input costs,easily grown in water stress areas with a comparatively lower period of maturation. The crop’s highly nutritious content was also highlighted as one of the components that makes it an ideal crop of the 21st Century, especially in view of changing climate increasing population stress.

However, despite being the fourth largest millet producer in the world and second highest in Africa, reports show that production in Nigeria is yet to meet the national demand.

Mohammad Abubakar,the minister of agriculture and rural development, noted that Nigeria, with a production shortfall of 4.4 million metric tonnes, struggles to produce enough to meet the needs of its citizens.

Speaking at the Millet Food Festival 2023, recently  organised by the High Commission of India in Abuja, in collaboration with Niger State as a part of Nigeria Millet Initiative, the minister said, “Our national demand for millet as at 2022 was 6.4 million metric tonnes while our national production is 2.0 million metric tonnes.”

Abubakar explained that the inability of production to meet demand could be caused by low potential of the crop varieties, application of poor agronomic practices, depleted soil, climate change or aggregation of these factors.

He further stated that the ministry is in dire need to improve the productivity of the crop so as to enhance farmers’ income, attract more youth to millet cultivation, meet the country’s food and industrial demand and enhance the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP).

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in its assessment of Nigeria’s millet production, stated that despite the supply gap, Nigeria can transform millets value chain, elevating them from being a mere staple to a strategic crop that contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fred Kafeero, FAO representative in Nigeria, who stated this at the just concluded commemoration of the 2023 International Year of Millets in Abuja,called for improved cultivation of millets, as a tool to address malnutrition in Nigeria and boost its economic relevance.

Kafeero described millets as resilient crops that have withstood the test of time, adapting to various agro ecological conditions and feeding generations, adding that the “tiny but mighty grains”, have played an important role in the sustenance and nourishment of communities across the globe.

“We recognise their immense nutritional value, and their contribution to food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable agriculture,” he said.

The FAO representative reiterated the organisation’s commitment to offering technical assistance to the Nigerian government in its efforts to promote the cultivation, consumption, and commercialisation of millets.

“Together with all of you, and with renewed enthusiasm and determination, there is no doubt we will harness the potential of millets to combat hunger, malnutrition, and the challenges posed by climate change.”

Also speaking at the event,Sugra Mahmood, the director, food safety at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), said the country has a long-standing history of cultivating and consuming millet.

Mahmood noted that Nigeria can enhance agricultural sustainability, reduce vulnerability to climate change, and improve livelihoods for farmers through promotion of the crop.

“Millet is not only a nutrient-rich crop, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, but it is also resilient to harsh climatic conditions and requires less water compared to other staple crops.

“By highlighting and promoting the various dishes made with millet, we pay homage to our cultural heritage while recognising its immense potential in addressing the food and nutrition security challenges we face today,” she said.

Ernest Umakhihe, the permanent secretary, ministry of agriculture and rural development, said efforts are underway to promote iron-biofortified pearl millet, which according to him,provides a convenient and affordable source of iron for Nigerians.

Umakhihe, who was represented by B.C Ukatta, pointed out that the significant step is needed to  address nutritional deficiencies and improve the overall health and well-being of Nigerians.

On his part, Shri G. Balasubramanian,the Indian high commissioner to Nigeria, said millet already is part of the staple diet in the sub-Saharan region and if suitably harnessed, can lead to food sufficiency in the arid regions of the world.

Balasubramanian stated that India, the world’s largest millet producer, has extended cooperation towards Nigeria in ensuring assistance with technical and knowledge sharing relating to Millet crops, research and development for development of better varieties.

Muhammad Baba Bello, a senior research supervisor at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria, underscores millets’ importance to Africa in multiple ways, pointing out that millets were a staple in parts of Africa even before rice and maize were introduced to the continent. Where crops such as maize fail, millets

According to the agricultural economist, millets thrive even with less fertilisers compared to crops such as maize.

He also noted that the major problem with millet production in Nigeria is lack of market-oriented value addition, arguing that current research focuses mainly on seed varieties and soil resilience, which isn’t enough.

Bello, therefore, emphasised the need to grow the millet value chain by investing in enhancing its market value to match that of other cash crops which enjoy high multiple uses across different industries.