Processing and Health Benefits of Underutilized Foxtail and Barnyard Millet for Development of Functional Bakery Products

The bread sector in India holds the distinction of being the largest food industry in terms of yearly turnover, amounting to almost 3000 crores. Formerly considered a dietary choice limited to individuals with health ailments, bakery products have evolved into essential nutrition for a significant portion of the population. The majority of countries exhibit a notable increase in per capita consumption of bread goods. It is anticipated that there will be a sustained increase in the demand for bakery goods in the future. The anticipated growth rate of 9.8% appears to be quite modest when considering the existing market potential of bakery products among populations with lower and middle incomes. This suggests that there is significant opportunity for the promotion and consumption of bakery products as a means of enhancing dietary enrichment. Bakery products are among the most affordable processed food items available for consumption within the country. Over 70 % of the overall production has historically been contributed by the industry, which is still mainly from the unorganized sector.