Millet: small-seeded grasses

The grasses known collectively as millets are a set of highly variable small seeded plant species indigenous to many areas of the world.

The name ‘millet’ is derived from the Latin milium, which is similar to the Greek meline, the classical names for millet, based on the world for thousands, referring to the large number of grains of the plant.

Millet includes finger, pearl, foxtail varieties and proso millet. Off all the millets, pearl millet is the most widely used throughout the world.

Millets are well adapted to grow under low soil fertility, low moisture and hot environmental conditions. Therefore the seed is available in times of crisis.

The protein content of millet is relatively high and its nutritional value is similar to that of sorghum and corn. 

Millets have been utilized for human food form prehistoric times. Currently, millets are consumed in northern China, India, Africa and southern USSR.
Millet: small-seeded grasses