Pearl Millet crop. Photo: Max Pixel Millets Millets are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cere...
Pearl Millet crop. Photo: Max Pixel |
Millets
Millets are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food.
Millets are important crops in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa (especially in South India, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger), with 97% of millet production in developing countries. It used to be favoured crop for many centuries in drought prone regions, as its productivity was consistent, short growing duration even under dry, high-temperature conditions.
Crop doesn't demand much water & little to moderate rainfall is enough for its cultivation, since it belongs to the grass family that thrive in wild. However, due to the industrialisation of agriculture (post WW-II), other commercially viable crops was given the priority and hence millets was almost totally forgotten.
Millets are indigenous to many parts of the world. The most widely grown millets are sorghum and pearl millets, which are important crops in India and parts of Africa. Finger millet, proso millet, and foxtail millet are also important crop species.
Millets may have been consumed by humans for about 7,000 years and potentially had "a pivotal role in the rise of multi-crop agriculture and settled farming societies." Generally, millets are small-grained, annual, warm-weather cereals belonging to the grass family. They are highly tolerant of drought and other extreme weather conditions and have a similar nutrient content to other major cereals.
Resurrection of the Forgotten
Modern food habits brought in many ailments & diseases (to the scale of what it is today), that were almost unheard of in the history of mankind. Few researchers found out that the good old millets were answering to most of these modern diseases, and it is due to this reason that they are making a come back.
One prominent name in this researching community is Dr. Khader Valli. Hailing from southern India, Dr. Valli has extensively researched almost every variety of it and formulated on which one to use, how & when to use it. He hand picked 5 of the best of the millets & named it Siridhanya (meaning rich cereal/grain), which were actually consumed by the poorest population (and were called 'Kudhanya' meaning inferior cereal/grain), but were rich in health - hence the name.
5 Positive Millets (Siridhanya)
English | Hindi | Kannada | Telugu | Tamil | Malayalam | Marathi | Gujarathi | Bengali | Punjabi | Odia |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barnyard Millet | Sanwa | Oodhalu | Udhalu | Kuthiraivally | Kavadapullu | Shamul | Samo /Moraiyo | Shyama | Swank | Khira |
Kodo Millet | Kodon | Araka | Arikelu | Varagu | Koovaragu | Kodra | Kodra | Kodo | Kodra | Kodua |
Little Millet | Kutki | Samai | Samulu | Samai | Chama | Sava, Halvi, vari | Gajro, Kuri | Sama | Kutki | Kanghu, Kangam,Kora |
Foxtail Millet | Kakum | Navane | Korra | Tenai | Thinai | Kang, Rala | Kang | Kaon Dana | Kangni | Odia |
Brown Top Millet | Korale | Andakorra | Pala Pul | Chama Pothaval | Makra, Murat | Hari Kang | Bengali | Hari Kangni | Odia |
Neutral Millets
English | Hindi | Kannada | Telugu | Tamil | Malayalam | Marathi | Gujarathi | Bengali | Punjabi | Odia |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finger Millet | Nachani | Ragi | Ragula | Kezhvaragu | Panji pullu | Nagli, Nachni | Nagli, Bavto | Marwa | Mandhuka, Mandhal | Mandia |
Proso Millet | Chena | Baragu | Variga | Pani Varagu | Malayalam | Vari | Cheno | Cheena | Cheena | China Bachari bagmu |
Pearl Millet | Bajra | Sajje | Sajja | Kanbu | Kambam | Bajri | Bajri | Bajra | Bajra | Bajra |
Sorghum (Great Millet) | Jowar | Bili jola | Jonna | Jolam | Cholam | Jwari | Jowari, Juar | Jowar | Jowar | Juara |
Last updated: 2023, July 9
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