Barnyard millet (Echinochloa spp.) is an ancient cereal within the Poaceae family, characterized by rapid growth and remarkable adaptability to marginal and drought-prone environments. The genus comprises two cultivated hexaploid species, Echinochloa frumentacea and E. esculenta, which were domesticated from wild progenitors E. colona and E. crus-galli in South and East Asia. This underutilized “nutri-cereal” is packed with a remarkable nutritional profile, high in protein, dietary fiber, and important micronutrients such as iron and zinc. It also carries significant cultural value in India as a traditional food and fasting grain. However, genetic improvement has been constrained by the crop’s narrow genetic base and polyploid genome, which complicate conventional breeding. Recent advances in germplasm characterization and genomics, including molecular markers and whole-genome sequencing, are facilitating marker-assisted breeding to overcome such limitations. While genomic tools are accelerating cultivar improvement, complementary innovations in post-harvest processing, pest management, and product diversification are equally critical to unlock the full value of this underutilized crop. In light of climate change and increasing global demand for nutrient-dense staple crops, global interest in barnyard millet is increasing, with India at the forefront of its production and with renewed efforts to promote this climate-smart grain for wider food and nutrition security.