Replacing rice and wheat crops with cereal crops could save water and improve nutrition for people living in India, according to a in Science Advances.

Since the 1960s, India has been largely self-sufficient in producing enough cereal to feed its population by relying on rice grown during monsoon season and wheat in the winter season. However, rice and wheat rely heavily on irrigation, which has depleted freshwater supplies. Monsoons are also delivering less rainfall than in the past, contributing to chronic water stress and food insecurity.

The researchers analyzed how India’s production of rice and wheat over time (1966-2009) affected nutrient production and water use, and then examined whether alternative cereal crops could improve on these measures, focusing on 4 key nutrients—calories, protein, iron, and zinc.