Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR)

The Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) is a premier national research organisation dedicated to the advancement of millet science and technology in India. Operating under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the institute plays a central role in developing improved varieties, production technologies, and value-added products from millets. IIMR serves as the nodal centre for coordinating millet research and development across the country, promoting nutritional security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.

Background and Establishment

The origins of the Indian Institute of Millets Research date back to 1958, when it was established as the All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project (AICSIP) in Hyderabad. The project aimed to enhance sorghum productivity through systematic breeding and agronomic research. In 1987, the centre was upgraded to the National Research Centre for Sorghum (NRCS), reflecting its expanded mandate under ICAR. Subsequently, in 2014, the institution was renamed the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) to encompass a broader focus on all major and minor millets.
IIMR is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, and serves as the headquarters of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Millets (AICRP-Millets). This network includes numerous centres across various agro-ecological zones, supporting region-specific research on sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and small millets such as foxtail, barnyard, little, kodo, and proso millets.

Mandate and Objectives

The core mandate of IIMR is to promote research, development, and innovation in millet crops. Its primary objectives include:

• Conducting strategic and applied research on millets to enhance productivity, quality, and resilience.
• Developing climate-smart technologies and improved crop management practices.
• Coordinating national millet research through AICRP-Millets.
• Strengthening seed systems for quality seed production and distribution.
• Facilitating value addition, post-harvest processing, and product diversification.
• Promoting entrepreneurship and market linkages through capacity building and policy advocacy.

Research and Development Activities

IIMR conducts multidisciplinary research covering plant breeding, genetics, biotechnology, agronomy, pathology, entomology, and food science. Its scientific work focuses on improving the yield potential, nutritional content, and stress tolerance of millet crops.
Key areas of research include:

• Genetic improvement for higher productivity, drought tolerance, and pest resistance.
• Biofortification to enhance nutritional value, particularly micronutrients like iron, zinc, and calcium.
• Biotechnological interventions for developing improved hybrids and varieties.
• Agronomic optimisation for different agro-climatic regions.
• Post-harvest technology to reduce losses and improve shelf life.
• Food product development using millets as health-oriented alternatives to major cereals.

Through long-term breeding programmes, IIMR has developed numerous high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties of millets such as CSH 16, CSV 27, CSH 22SS, and CSV 33MF for sorghum, and several improved lines for pearl millet and finger millet adapted to varying environmental conditions.

Nutritional and Economic Importance of Millets

Millets are recognised as nutri-cereals, rich in dietary fibre, protein, and essential minerals. They are gluten-free and have a low glycaemic index, making them beneficial for managing diabetes and obesity. The institute’s work has been pivotal in promoting millets as a key component of India’s nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
Economically, millets provide livelihood security to smallholder farmers in semi-arid and rain-fed regions due to their resilience to drought and low input requirements. IIMR’s research contributes to enhancing profitability and sustainability in these regions, aligning with national missions on food and nutritional security.

Technology Transfer and Extension

Technology dissemination is a major thrust of IIMR’s activities. The institute engages in extensive extension and outreach programmes to ensure the adoption of improved practices at the grassroots level. These include:

• Farmer training programmes and on-field demonstrations.
• Capacity building for self-help groups and rural entrepreneurs.
• Development of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for millet value chains.
• Collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for regional technology dissemination.
• Publication of manuals, bulletins, and digital content for knowledge transfer.

IIMR also organises events such as the Millet Food Festivals and National Millets Conclaves, which serve as platforms for stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, to exchange innovations and best practices.

Centre of Excellence and Value Addition

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Millets, established within IIMR, focuses on value addition and entrepreneurship development. The CoE provides training and technical assistance for establishing small- and medium-scale enterprises in millet processing and food manufacturing.
IIMR has developed over 100 millet-based value-added products, including ready-to-cook mixes, bakery items, extruded snacks, and beverages. These innovations aim to enhance consumer acceptance and expand the millet market. The institute’s Millet Incubation Centre supports start-ups through mentoring, product testing, packaging design, and business linkages, contributing to the growth of a millet-based food industry.

Role in Policy and National Initiatives

IIMR plays a key advisory role in shaping millet-related policies and national programmes. It has been instrumental in the success of the National Year of Millets 2018, which was declared by the Government of India to raise awareness about millets. The institute also contributed significantly to India’s successful proposal to the United Nations, leading to the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYoM 2023).
During this global campaign, IIMR coordinated nationwide initiatives on millet promotion, research symposia, and international collaborations. It continues to provide scientific and technical support for the Millets Mission under various state and central government programmes, aligning with the objectives of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and Poshan Abhiyaan for nutritional well-being.

Collaborations and International Linkages

IIMR collaborates with several international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), and Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) institutions. These partnerships enhance the exchange of germplasm, research data, and technology for global millet development.
At the national level, IIMR maintains strong linkages with state agricultural universities, research institutes, and private sector entities to strengthen seed systems, market chains, and technology adoption.

Future Prospects and Significance

The role of IIMR is becoming increasingly vital in the context of climate change, sustainable food systems, and nutritional security. As rainfall variability and temperature rise affect major cereal crops, millets are emerging as resilient alternatives. IIMR’s research on climate-smart millet farming and its integration into public distribution systems (PDS) and mid-day meal schemes is expected to contribute significantly to national sustainability goals.
The institute envisions positioning millets as mainstream crops, integrating them into modern diets while ensuring economic benefits for farmers. Its efforts in biotechnology, digital agriculture, and entrepreneurship are transforming traditional millet cultivation into a technology-driven and market-oriented enterprise.