Types of Millets in India: Benefits and Purpose of Cultivating

Published on: 16-Jan-2025
Updated on: 16-Jan-2025

Our grandparents have always said that health is the capital of life (swastya hi jeevan ki poonji hai) which is not only the phrase but the secret of success too.

However We have to learn how to take care of our health, what routine we should maintain or what kind of food we should eat. If you want to eat healthy then you should know about “millets".

If we talk about healthy cereal then millets are the best option to add in your daily diet as it is considered to have a superior nutritional profile. Millets are a group of seeds that have several varieties that belong to the grass family.

Millets are classified as cereal grains that are also known as “King of Dryland Crops” due to their quality to grow in harsh, arid environments with low rainfall, degraded soil, and many more, unlike other crops that might not survive.

There are different types of millet grown in India such as:

  • Pearl millet
  • Finger millet
  • Foxtail millet
  • Little millet
  • Kodo millet
  • Barnyard millet
  • Proso millet
  • Sorghum

Types of Millets in India & their Benefits

Apart from scientific names, millets are recognized as Indian names that vary from different states.

With an arrangement of types of millets, each of them has its own unique traits, benefits, and applications. Here's a glimpse into some of the types of millets:

1. Pearl Millet

Pearl millet is so popular in India with its Indian name “Bajra" which is also a staple food in most of the dry region.

  • Bajra is mostly grown in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
  • Mostly used for making roti (flatbread), porridge, and other traditional dishes.
  • Bajra is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in fiber, protein, magnesium, zinc, and iron.
  • Bajra has amazing health benefits such as helping to lower bad cholesterol, increasing blood pressure along with fighting against anemia.

2. Finger millet

Finger millets are fondly known as “Ragi” or “nachni" in India, rock a reddish hue and an earthy flavor.

  • Ragi is mostly cultivated in the states of southern India, particularly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Ragi is rich in high calcium, iron, and fiber content along with protein and vitamin d in it.
  • Ragi is best for boosting bone health, and muscle health and helps control blood sugar levels along with maintaining overall well-being.
  • Ragi is used to make roti, muddy, porridge, dosa, idli, and many more.

3. Foxtail millets

Foxtail millets are also known as “kukum” or “kangni” in India. These millets are less known for their type. They are small and golden in color.

  • Foxtail millets are mostly produced in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
  • It is packed with lots of nutrients that are super beneficial for health such as complex carbohydrates, and B vitamins like­ niacin and thiamine.
  • These millets are helpful in boosting energy, maintaining immunity, and proper digestion along with managing cholesterol in the body.
  • You can add foxtail millets to your diet as a substitute for rice or by making delicious upma.

4. Little millet

Little millets are small and round grains that are also called moraiyo in India, it is a petite powerhouse that is mostly found in India only.

  • Southern states of India are mostly popular for practicing moraiyo cultivations such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
  • It is highly nutritious as it contains magnesium, potassium, and zinc along with iron, and fiber.
  • Due to its high fibre content, it is easy to digest and helps to improve digestion, and helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
  • Little millets are used to make mostly pongal, upma, samai kanji, etc.

5. Kodo millet

Kodra or varagu are the famous names of Kodo millet. It arrives with a light brown hue and a slightly bitter taste.

  • Kodo millet is commonly grown in the rain-fed regions of central India like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and some portions of Uttar Pradesh.
  • It is mostly rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants and some percentage of protein that is helpful in increasing metabolism and gaining energy.
  • It protects the body from diabetes, obesity, arthritis, and asthma and also relieves constipation.
  • It is especially used in making dietary food such as upma, pulao, or poha that support weight loss.

6. Barnyard millets

Barnyard millet is a high-yielding millet also known as “Sanwa”. It can be identified by its greenish hue and soft texture.

  • Mazor millets are grown in hilly areas and regions with low rainfall states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Sanwa are low in calories and high in fibers along with calcium, iron, and phosphorus, which are essential for bone health.
  • It helps to maintain ideal weight by increasing metabolism in the body and also managing cholesterol levels.
  • Commonly used for making flour for cakes, rotis, and porridge.

7. Proso millet

Proso millet is popular with its name “cheena” in India, it is a tiny-seed variety that has the ability to add to any Indian dish in a delicious way.

  • Cheena is cultivated majorly in parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. It is a quick-growing millet 
  • It is packed with protein and amino acids along with some fiber content and also has low carbohydrates.
  • There are some incredible health benefits of eating Cheena like it helps in managing cholesterol and weight and promoting a strong heart.
  • Cheena is mostly used to make khichdi, soups, and pongal.

Also Read: Benefits of eating jawar, millet and ragi

8. Sorghum millets

In India sorghum millets are dubbed as “jowar” or “jola”, boasting a slightly bitter taste and a brownish hue.

  • It is grown largely in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka and is a staple food in these states.
  • These millets are loaded with lots of antioxidants, iron, and fiber that promote a healthy body.
  • It controls the inflammation level of the body and is suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
  • These millets can be added to a delicious meal if cooked as popcorn or bhakri.

Purpose of Cultivating All Types of Millets in India

1. Climate durability

  • Millets are arid-adapted crops that can easily grow in regions of water scarcity or low rainfall, unlike other crops.
  • They can easily grow in adverse climatic conditions along with dry, sandy or demeaned soil.

2. Hub of nutrition

  • Millets are one of the best and healthier choices for your diet as it is packed with all the essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins (like B vitamins), minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium), and antioxidants.
  • States that need some nutritional base security should cultivate millet to enhance people’s health.

3. Sustainable agriculture

  • Millets Support sustainable agriculture as they are easier on the environment as compared to many other crops.
  • They are the most suitable crop that can share its cultivation with other crops during the crop rotation method of farming. They can easily plant in between other crops and help the soil stay healthy.
  • They reduce the need for synthetic (artificial) fertilizers which can help in restoring nutrients that the soil may have lost.

4. Low maintenance

  • Millets are suitable for all seasons and are budget-friendly with farmers as they do not need high-cost fertilizers or advanced irrigation matter to grow.
  • They can offer a reliable income source for smallholder farmers in rainfed areas, improving their livelihoods because it is an economic viability for Farmers.

5. Cultural and traditional influence

  • Promoting millet cultivation helps preserve cultural heritage and revitalize traditional food systems.
  • Given their adaptability to different environmental conditions, millets can survive and contribute to climate change adaptation strategies.