Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Wadmare VB, Pawar VS and Shinde IN

Abstract:
Millets crops are highly drought tolerant in nature. Millet is grown widely around the world for use as food and fodder. Finger millet is rich source of iron (3.9 mg per 100 gm), calcium (344 mg per 100 gm), zinc (2.3 mg per 100 gm), total dietary fiber (19.1 per cent) and carbohydrates (72.6 gm). On the occasion of World Food Day in the year 2020 two biofortified varieties of finger millet were released namely CFMV 1 (Indravathi) and CFMV 2 (Gira) that are rich in iron and calcium. The cooking time required for decorticated finger millet was found to be 6 min with 3.7 per cent solid loss. Its dietary fiber and polyphenols provide several health benefits such as anti-diabetic, protection from diet related chronic diseases, hypocholesterolaemic, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects to the people who consume finger millet regularly in their diet. Finger millet is also a good ingredient of weaning food.