1. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet After completing this Lesson, you have learned to answer: 1.What is the major food value for which pearl millet is cultivated? 2.What are the various uses for which pearl millet is grown? 3.Why pearl millet crop is popular as a fodder crop? 4.Describe the nutritional features of grain pearl millet? Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

2. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Pearl millet is largely grown for grain and fodder purpose under hot, dry conditions on infertile soils of low water holding capacity where other crops generally fail. Pearl millet as a food crop is limited to the developing countries in Asia, and particularly in Africa. It is estimated that over 95% of pearl millet production is used as food, the reminder being divided between animal and poultry feed (7%), other uses (seed, bakery products, snacks, etc.,) and waste. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

3. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet With a texture much like brown rice, pearl millet can be cooked like rice. After it has been soaked for a couple of hours, pearl millet in it’s whole grain form cooks like rice in about 20 minutes. Increasing in volume more than any other grain, a cup of dry millet expands to three cups of cooked millet which takes on the form of a fluffy, delicate flavored hot cereal you are sure to appreciate. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

4. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Pearl millet is used in flat breads (roti) or mixed up to 25% with wheat flour for use in yeast breads. Dry flour when mixed with biscuit, bread and roll dough adds a crunchy texture and brings variety to the baked goods. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

5. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Pearl Millet is traditionally used for food products like roti (flat bread), bhakri (stiff roti), and porridge or gruel. Roti (flat bread) making Pearl Millet porridge Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

6. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Pearl Millet flour mixed with wheat flour is used for making baking products like breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, and biscuits. Making of cookies Pearl Millet cookies Plum Cake Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

7. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Transporting fodder Pearl Millet The crop residue (stover) after grain harvest is valuable source of fodder for livestock because of its: wide adaptation; short duration with rapid growth ; high tillering capacity; drought tolerance. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

8. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Pearl Millet grain as poultry feed Utilization of grain as feed for the milch animals or poultry is not significant (7%) in India compared to sorghum (almost 50% of total output). Pearl Millet grain is used as animal feed in the Americas, China and Australia. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

9. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Forage Pearl Millet Pearl Millet is also cultivated for forage mostly in north India. Pearl Millet varieties and hybrids are available exclusively for forage purpose. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

10. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

11. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Chopping of forage pearl millet for animal feeding Forage pearl millets are fed to animals as a green chop or hay (quickly dried pearl millet for fodder). Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

12. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Pearl Millet is a principal source of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals for millions of the poorest people in the regions where it is cultivated. Pearl millet, like sorghum, is generally 9 to 13% protein, but large variations in protein content, from 6 to 21%, have been observed. Pearl millet grains are all very high in calories—precisely the reason they do wonders for growing children and pregnant women. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

13. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Composition of Pearl Millet Grain Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

14. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Pearl millet contains more calories than wheat, probably because of it’s higher oil content of 4.2% which is 50% polyunsaturated. Pearl millet is rich in B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc copper and manganese. Pearl millet is a gluten free grain and is the only grain that retains it’s alkaline properties after being cooked which is ideal for people with wheat allergies. Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

15. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Source: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/foods_view/1,1523, 72,00.html http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/foods_view/1,1523, 72,00.html Nutritional Information Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet

16. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet Pearl Millet Feed Value Pearl millet grain compares favorably with maize and sorghum as a high-energy, high- protein ingredient in feed for poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep. Several studies indicated that, compared to maize, pearl millet is 8-60% higher in crude protein, and 40% richer in amino-acids lysine and methonine. Oxalic acid in pearl millet reduces the bioavailability of calcium and hence has a negative impact on milk production and fat content.

17. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module 1: About Pearl Millet Lesson 2: Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet Pearl Millet Feed Value However, very little millet is used as feed in India because: production is barely sufficient to satisfy food requirements, little surplus is left for animal feed. production fluctuates widely from year to year because of rainfall variability and drought in the main production areas.

18. With this, the Lesson 2 on Uses and Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet in this Module concludes. Next, Lesson 3 in this Module is about growth of pearl millet plant. Click “Lessons” button to select Lesson 3 Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Lessons Module 1: About Pearl Millet Modules