About this Produce
Pearl Millet, Pennisetum glaucum L. is a widely grown type of millet which is a coarse grain crop suitable for dry lands agriculture.
Vernacular names include: bajra (India), gero (Nigeria, Hausa language), hegni (Niger, Djerma language), sanyo (Mali), dukhon (Sudan, Arabic), and mahangu (Namibia). Pearl millet is an important crop for smallholder farmers because they provide grain and fodder in harsh growing conditions (e.g., shallow, sandy, infertile soils having low water-retention capacity that are common in hot, dry environments).
The crop is grown for dual purposes - as food for consumption and fodder for livestock. The grain is converted into flour and used for making bread while the stems are used as fodder for cattle. Pearl millet is known for its high nutritive value because of its high iron and zinc content.
Rajasthan has the highest area under pearl millet cultivation making it the largest producer in the country.
