Abstract :

With passage of time, there has been paradigm shift observed in dietary intake of people henceforth disturb­ing the balance of nutrients required by the body. Due to the leap towards major cereal crops to feed the growing population, impetus towards minor crops have observed a continuous decline. This ap­proach have also led to emergence of various nutritional deficiencies. Though these crops are neglected but are treasure house of various nutrients needed for all-round development of an individual. This re­view examines and compares the nutritional aspects of major cereal crops to minor crops and also dis­cusses the abundant health benefits provided by few minor crops, as well their prevalence in context to Indian subcontinent.

---

Keywords :

Cereal crops, Minor crops, Nutrition

---

References :

1. The Hindu (2021) : Where does India stand on global hunger index ?. Available at https://www.thehindu.com/data/where-does-india-stand-on-the-global-hunger-index/article37140124.ece
2. Hufnagel, J. , Reckling,M. & Ewert, F.(2020) Diverse approaches to crop diversification in agricultural research. A review. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340782731_Diverse_approaches_to_crop_diversification_in_agricultural_research_A_review
3. Baldermann,S. , L. Blagojević, K. Frede, R. Klopsch, S. Neugart, A. Neumann, B. Ngwene, J. Norkeweit, D. Schröter, A. Schröter, F. J. Schweigert, M. Wiesner & M. Schreiner (2016) Are Neglected Plants the Food for the Future?

Available at (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/07352689.2016.1201399?needAccess=true)

4. Gahukar,R. Local Plants for Rural Food Security. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283290908_Local_Plants_for_Rural_Food_Security
5. Nandal,U. , Bhardwaj, R.L. (2014) The Role of Underutilized Fruits in Nutritional and Economic Security of Tribals: A Review. Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2011.616638?journalCode=bfsn20
6. Choukr-Allah,R. , Rao, N.K. , Hirich, A. , Shahid, M. , Alshankiti, A. , Toderich,K. , Gill,S. , Butt K.U.R. (2016) Quinoa for Marginal Environments: Toward Future Food and Nutritional Security in MENA and Central Asia Regions

Available at https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00346/full

7. National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management :ICAR – Quinoa Technical Bulletin

Available at- http://www.niam.res.in/sites/default/files/pdfs/36-Quinoa%20Technical-bulletin.pdf

8. Babu,S. ,Yadav, GS. , Singh,R. , Avasthe,RK. , Das,A. ,Mohapatra, KP. , Tahasildar,M. , Kumar,K. , M,Prabha. , Devi,T.,Rana, DS., Prakash,N. (2018) Production technology and multifarious uses of Buckwheat ( Fagopyrum spp.) : A review. Available  at : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330451258_Production_technology_and_multifarious_uses_of_buckwheat_Fagopyrum_spp_A_review
9. Nalinkumar, A., Singh,P. (2020) An Overview of Buckwheat (Fagopyrumspp)-An Underutilized Crop in India-Nutritional Value and Health Benefits. Available at https://www.ijmrhs.com/medical-research/an-overview-of-buckwheat-fagopyrum-spp-an-underutilized-crop-in-indianutritional-value-and-health-benefits.pdf
10. Behra, MK. (2017) Assessment of the state of millets farming in India

Available at  https://medcraveonline.com/MOJES/assessment-of-the-state-of-millets-farming-in-india.html

11. Sarker,U. , Hossain, M.M. , Oba,S. (2020)Nutritional and antioxidant components and antioxidant capacity in green morph Amaranthusleafy vegetable, Available at  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6987210/#CR33
12. Enyiukwu DN, Amadioha AC, Ononuju CC (2018) Nutritional Significance of Cowpea Leaves for Human Consumption.

Available at http://biochem.flas.kps.ku.ac.th/02738451/cowpea.pdf