Millet
Millet is a type of cereal grain that belongs to the Poaceae family. The family is common for many grass-like plants. It is an important source of food, especially in many developing countries of Asia and Africa. Millet in appearance resembles a seed, but its nutritional profiler is similar to cereals, especially sorghum. It is also quite popular in the West due to the fact that millet is completely gluten-free and it is an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein and contains lots of antioxidant compounds.
Millet is a small and round grain that is widely grown in Nigeria and India, as well as many other countries of Africa and Asia. It is one of the oldest grains cultivated by humans. It is a source of food for both humans and livestock as well as birds.
It is a well-known crop that has more advantages over other crops. The plant is strongly resistant to pests and drought. It also does not require high-quality soil and grows well in harsh environments. These advantages are mostly guaranteed by the genetic composition and the plant’s physical structure. There are many varieties of the plant which differ in overall appearance and especially in color. The species are divided into two groups major and minor millets. Major millet species are the most commonly cultivated ones. The group consists of pearl, foxtail, proso, and finger species. The minor group consists of Kofo, barnyard, Guinea, fonio, play, and browntop varieties. The most consumed by humans variety is belonging to the major group pearl millet, but all varieties are rich sources of nutrients.
Millet, just like other cereals, is high in carbs and protein. It is also a good source of minerals and vitamins. It contains lots of amino acids which build the protein blocks. Millet contains lots of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. It is also a great source of dietary fiber and folate.
The leading producer of this cereal is India, where up to 10.3 million metric tonnes is produced every year. India is followed by Niger with almost 3.9 metric tonnes produced yearly. China is the third-largest producer of millet in the world. Each year China produces up to 2 million metric tonnes of this cereal.