Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 8

Millets are small-grained cereals that serve as staples in arid and semi-arid regions of Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. In India, millets, including major types such as sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet, as well as a diverse set of small millets, are increasingly recognised as strategic crops for nutrition-sensitive and climate-resilient agriculture. Yet, despite their ecological hardiness and cultural embeddedness, millet productivity remains constrained by interacting soil limitations, rainfall variability, suboptimal agronomy, and uneven access to improved cultivars and markets. This review synthesises contemporary evidence on the soil, climate and productivity dimensions of millet cultivation in India, with emphasis on rainfed agro-ecosystems where millets predominate. A focused literature search was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar. Across regions, millet performance is shaped by inherently low soil organic carbon, widespread macro- and micronutrient deficiencies, and degraded physical structure in marginal lands, often intensified by limited organic inputs and low fertiliser use. Climatic exposure—particularly erratic monsoon onset, extended dry spells, and episodic heat stress—drives large year-to-year yield variability and reinforces risk-averse management. Advances in integrated nutrient management, land and water conservation, and targeted breeding for drought and heat adaptation have demonstrated potential to raise yields while sustaining soil health. This review highlights emerging system approaches, including millet-based agroforestry and diversified rotations, which align livelihood goals with soil restoration and climate adaptation. Genetic improvements have delivered important gains, but the effectiveness of improved cultivars depends on precise targeting to local soil–rainfall environments and adoption of feasible management practices. Sustainable scaling of millets will therefore require coordinated advances across agronomy, soil health strategies, breeding, and enabling institutions that create reliable market incentives. Finally, policy and institutional developments supporting millet revival are assessed in relation to on-farm constraints, value-chain barriers and evidence needs for equitable scaling. Future research should focus on improving soil health, climate adaptation, nutrient management, and cultivar development, alongside strengthening agroforestry systems and policy support to enhance sustainable millet productivity in India.