Millet: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:14, 21 February 2025

Millet[edit]

Millet is a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. These crops are favored due to their productivity and short growing season under dry, high-temperature conditions.

History[edit]

Millets have been cultivated since prehistoric times in regions of Africa and Asia. They are believed to have been domesticated in Asia over 10,000 years ago. The earliest evidence of millet cultivation has been found in the Yellow River basin in China.

Types of Millet[edit]

Millets are divided into two broad categories: major millets and minor millets. Major millets include Pearl millet, Finger millet, and Proso millet. Minor millets include Foxtail millet, Barnyard millet, and Kodo millet.

Pearl Millet[edit]

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is the most widely grown type of millet. It is well adapted to growing in arid and semi-arid regions and is a staple food in parts of Africa and India.

Finger Millet[edit]

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is especially important in the diets of people in eastern and southern Africa and parts of India. It is known for its high nutritional value, particularly in calcium.

Proso Millet[edit]

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) is grown primarily in the United States, China, and Russia. It is used for both human consumption and as animal feed.

Cultivation[edit]

Millets are hardy crops that can grow in poor soil conditions and require minimal water. They are often grown in regions where other cereal crops, such as wheat and rice, would fail.

Nutritional Value[edit]

Millets are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index, making them suitable for people with celiac disease and diabetes.

Uses[edit]

Millets are used in a variety of traditional dishes. In India, they are used to make roti, porridge, and pancakes. In Africa, they are often used to make beer and porridge.

Economic Importance[edit]

Millets are an important crop for smallholder farmers in developing countries. They provide food security and are a source of income for millions of people.

Cultural Significance[edit]

In many cultures, millets are associated with traditional festivals and rituals. They are often used in religious ceremonies and as offerings.

Challenges[edit]

Despite their benefits, millet cultivation faces challenges such as lack of awareness, limited research, and competition from other cereal crops.

Gallery[edit]

Millet being sold in a market in Kerala
Closeup of Varagu millet with husk
A woman threshing sorghum in Northern Ghana
Historical image of millet cultivation

Related Pages[edit]

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- Millet is a small seed of any of various annual cereal grasses especially [[Setaria italica]].
+==Millet==
-[[File:Millet-1697117 1920.jpg|alt=Millet|thumb|Millet]]
-==Uses==
+[[File:Grain_millet,_early_grain_fill,_Tifton,_7-3-02.jpg|thumb|right|Millet grains in early grain fill stage]]
-* The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops, or grains, widely grown around the world for food and fodder.
-* Millet sprays are often used as healthy treats to for pet birds and in some cultures millets are traditionally important grains used in brewing millet beer.
+'''Millet''' is a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. These crops are favored due to their productivity and short growing season under dry, high-temperature conditions.
+==History==
+Millets have been cultivated since prehistoric times in regions of Africa and Asia. They are believed to have been domesticated in Asia over 10,000 years ago. The earliest evidence of millet cultivation has been found in the [[Yellow River]] basin in China.
-==List of millets==
+==Types of Millet==
-* [[Sorghum]] - Sorghum is an important tropical cereal food, feed and fodder crop. It is an important grain and forage crop of semiarid regions.
+Millets are divided into two broad categories: major millets and minor millets. Major millets include [[Pearl millet]], [[Finger millet]], and [[Proso millet]]. Minor millets include [[Foxtail millet]], [[Barnyard millet]], and [[Kodo millet]].
-* [[Pearl millet]] - Bajra is popularly known as “pearl millet” and belongs to the family of Graminea. This grain is basically originated from India or Africa.
+===Pearl Millet===
+[[File:A_closeup_of_Pearl_Millet_(Cumbu).JPG|thumb|left|Closeup of Pearl Millet (Cumbu)]]
+Pearl millet (''Pennisetum glaucum'') is the most widely grown type of millet. It is well adapted to growing in arid and semi-arid regions and is a staple food in parts of Africa and India.
-* [[Finger millet]] - Finger millet is important small millet grown in India. It is a staple food in many hilly regions of the country.
+===Finger Millet===
+[[File:Finger_millet_3_11-21-02.jpg|thumb|right|Finger millet grains]]
+Finger millet (''Eleusine coracana'') is especially important in the diets of people in eastern and southern Africa and parts of India. It is known for its high nutritional value, particularly in calcium.
-* [[Barnyard millet]] - Barnyard millet is another food crop domesticated in India and grown for both grain and fodder purposes.
+===Proso Millet===
+[[File:Panicum_miliaceum0.jpg|thumb|left|Proso millet (''Panicum miliaceum'')]]
+Proso millet (''Panicum miliaceum'') is grown primarily in the United States, China, and Russia. It is used for both human consumption and as animal feed.
-* [[Comman(Proso) millet]] - Proso millet is important minor millet grown in India. The crop is able to evade drought by its quick maturity.
+==Cultivation==
+Millets are hardy crops that can grow in poor soil conditions and require minimal water. They are often grown in regions where other cereal crops, such as [[wheat]] and [[rice]], would fail.
-* [[Foxtail millet]] - Fox tail is also known as Italian millet, and German millet. It is generally grown as a rainfed crop in India, and other countries.
+==Nutritional Value==
+Millets are rich in [[vitamins]], [[minerals]], and [[dietary fiber]]. They are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index, making them suitable for people with [[celiac disease]] and [[diabetes]].
-* [[Kodo millet]] - Kodo millet, also known as cow grass, rice grass, ditch millet, Native Paspalum, or Indian Crown Grass originates in tropical Africa.
+==Uses==
+Millets are used in a variety of traditional dishes. In India, they are used to make [[roti]], [[porridge]], and [[pancakes]]. In Africa, they are often used to make [[beer]] and [[porridge]].
-* [[Little millet]] - It is an annual herbaceous plant, which grows straight or with folded blades to a height of 30 cm to 1 m.
+==Economic Importance==
+Millets are an important crop for smallholder farmers in developing countries. They provide food security and are a source of income for millions of people.
-* [[Maize]] - Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world agricultural economy both as food for man and feed for animals.
+==Cultural Significance==
+In many cultures, millets are associated with traditional festivals and rituals. They are often used in religious ceremonies and as offerings.
-* [[Barley]] - Barley is an important cereal crop in winter after wheat in India.
+==Challenges==
+Despite their benefits, millet cultivation faces challenges such as lack of awareness, limited research, and competition from other cereal crops.
-{{stb}}
+==Gallery==
-{{Cereals}}
-{{Agriculture country lists}}
-{{Authority control}}
-[[Category:Millets|*]]
-[[Category:Cereals]]
-[[Category:Plant common names]]
 <gallery>
-File:Grain millet, early grain fill, Tifton, 7-3-02.jpg|Millet
+File:Millet_In_Kerala-3.jpg|Millet being sold in a market in Kerala
-File:Finger millet 3 11-21-02.jpg|Millet
+File:A_closeup_of_Varagu_millet_with_husk..JPG|Closeup of Varagu millet with husk
-File:Panicum miliaceum0.jpg|Millet
+File:A_Woman_Threshing_Sorghum_In_Northern_Ghana.png|A woman threshing sorghum in Northern Ghana
-File:Millet In Kerala-3.jpg|Millet
+File:Journal_of_Agricultural_Research_(1917)_(14777745304).jpg|Historical image of millet cultivation
-File:A closeup of Pearl Millet (Cumbu).JPG|Millet
-File:A closeup of Varagu millet with husk..JPG|Millet
-File:A Woman Threshing Sorghum In Northern Ghana.png|Millet
-File:Journal of Agricultural Research (1917) (14777745304).jpg|Millet
-File:Milletoutput.png|Millet
-File:Ragi Rotti|Millet
-File:RAGI MUDDE.JPG|Millet
-File:Awaokoshi 01.jpg|Millet
 </gallery>
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Sorghum]]
+* [[Cereal]]
+* [[Agriculture]]
+* [[Food security]]
+[[Category:Cereals]]
+[[Category:Agriculture]]
+[[Category:Staple foods]]