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The Top Varieties of Millets and How They Are Farmed

One kind of cereal that is a member of the Poaceae family of grasses is millet. The largest growing regions for this small, round whole grain in Asia and Africa are Nigeria and India. Like quinoa and brown rice, millet is a nutrient-dense, gluten-free, and simple-to-grow food that can cooked to facilitate easy digestion. It is excellent for growing Pearl Millet and Bajra. Join us on a journey to find out which nation in India produces the most millet and discover the important crops, health advantages, and sustainable farming practices that add to millet’s vital role in the agricultural landscape of the country. We brought various varieties of millets and their Indian farming methods with us.

Millets: What Are They?


A family of resilient, fine-grained crops known as millets grown in warm climates all over the world. They are an excellent source of carbs, protein, fibre, and minerals. Millet grown for many years in India, a country that always placed a high importance on food. Millets are small seeds from cereal grains in the Poaceae family. Millet crops are vital for maintaining food security because they primarily grown in arid and semi-arid regions.

  • Grown with small grains, mixed crops, and poor soil.

  • Rainfall not required for the growth of millet crops.

  • Incredibly resistant to harsh weather, such as drought.

  • The nutritional profile is almost the same as that of the main cereals.

The list of India’s Top Millets

First, let’s define a list of millets and then discuss the ten most popular varieties. They recommended by nutritionists because each one has a unique flavour and unique health benefits.

Millet Fingers (Ragi)


Ragi, also called finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.), was a familiar grain to many Indians, especially those in the south of the country. However, the majority of people no longer include the once-famous cereal in their diets. This unfortunately unexpected given the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of finger millet for humans. Because it is a crop that is extremely adaptable and well-suited to India’s climate, it has double the significance. 

Kangni (foxtail millet)


The annual grass known by its scientific name, Setaria italica (synonym for Panicum italicum L.), grown for human consumption. It is the second most planted species globally and the most commonly grown millet variety in Asia. The first carbon-dated records of foxtail millet cultivation date back about 8,000 years, and they were found in Cishan, China, along the ancient Yellow River route. India has also a producer of foxtail millet since ancient times.

In the Karbi Anglong district of Assam, India, millets are a vital part of the food systems of the Karbis and Jhum fields. In the Jhum fields, foxtail millets, also called Hanjangmilen in Karbi, were once visible. However, they are hardly noticeable anymore. Nonetheless, farmers are now reintroducing the traditional crop into their food chain because it grows quickly, needs little water, does well in poor soil, and is resistant to many diseases.

Bajra pearl millet

The traditional Hindi name for the plant known as pearl millet, or Pennisetum glaucum, is bajra. Bulrush Millet, Duke, cumbia, Gero, senior, kombu, and Baba are some other names for it. Grain is a major source of nutrition in Africa and India, where it primarily grown. Conversely, it is grown and consumed across the globe in many different places. Bajra is the name for the edible seeds of pearl millet plants. They grow in various shades of bluish-purple, brown, yellow, grey, and white. The seeds typically cooked and used as a cereal grain, but they can also occasionally ground into a fine flour. You can consider any affordable tractor for bajra pearl millet like Powertrac 439 plus price is economical for the farmers. 

Sorghum Millet (Jowar)


The plant jowar grown for its grain, which fed to animals and consumed by humans. It originated in northern Africa. Jowar often an annual plant, though certain cultivars are perennial.

Jowar, also known as sorghum, is a gluten-free variety of millet. It provides a high protein content, is high in vitamins and minerals, and accounts for a significant amount of your daily fibre intake. It is among the greatest foods in the world for enhancing digestion because of its high dietary fibre content.

Millet Proso (Chena)


One of the most widely used varieties of millet, proso millet (also called chena) cultivated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. This type of millet is rich in nutrients and contains high levels of protein, B vitamins, and dietary fibre. Cheena is a popular addition to salads, soups, and dishes like rotis and porridge.

The potential of millet to assist in blood sugar regulation is very noteworthy. Millet grown worldwide and fed to birds due to its low glycemic index carbohydrates. Lecithin content is very high in proso millet. It is the material that, in an indirect manner, keeps the nervous system functioning properly. Another well-known feature of proso millet is its strong neural system.

 

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