Description

Little Millet

Little Millet (Panicum Sumatrense) is a quick growing, short duration cereal which can withstand both drought and water logging. It is an important crop grown for food and feed. It was domesticated in the Eastern Ghats of India occupying a major portion of diet amongst the tribal people and spread to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar. In India, its cultivation is mostly confined to the the tribal belt of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. It is wonderful millet which is suitable for people of all age groups. It helps to prevent constipation & heals all the problems related to stomach. Little millet is rich in cholesterol, when consumed increases good cholesterol in the body, suitable for growing kids and strengthens the body. Its complex carbohydrate digests slowly which is very helpful for diabetic patients. The little millet contains 8.7 gram protein, 75.7 gram carbohydrate, 5.3 gram fat and 1.7 gram mineral and 9.3 mg iron in per 100 gram grain. Its high fiber helps to reduce the fat depositions in the body. Little millet has a significant role in providing nutraceutical components such as phenols, tannins and phytates along with other nutrients

Climate:
Little millet can withstand drought as well as water logging. Hence it is a good catch crop under rainfed condition. Its cultivation is restricted to hilly regions upto an altitude of 2000m. It cannot withstand colder temperatures below 10oc

Soils:
Little millet can be grown on a wide range of soils including waterlogged soils. Deep, loamy, fertile soils rich in organic matter are preferred for satisfactory growth. It can withstand salinity and alkalinity to some extent.