Growing the grain millet is having a revival in drought-prone areas of India, especially by women farmers of marginalized communities such as the Dalit. Millet is less sensitive to rising temperatures than wheat and requires 10 times less water to grow than rice. The grains also have a shorter growth cycle than wheat or rice and can be stored for up to three decades. Landless farmers have formed collectives, leasing land to grow millet, which have had success in achieving food security and financial independence. Support from companies that have promoted the processing, selling and distribution of millet grain is ensuring that cultivating this ancient grain will continue to bring economic and social stability to these historically marginalized communities.
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