Brown Top Millet - A Forgotten Crop For Value Addition

Millets, a staple food in a major part of the world, are making a comeback. The earliest meals consumed by humans are millets, which may also be the first cereal grain to be domesticated. It belongs to the family of Graminae.

- Shaliha.A¹, Shanmugapriya. R¹, Shiva .P¹, Akalya Shanmugam¹²

Research made in 2015 reveals that the world's millet production accounts for 37 million tonnes. Finger millet alone contributes 81% of total millet production. Millets have two major domains major and minor millets. Sorghum and Bajra are considered major millet little millet, barnyard millet, finger millet, proso millet brown top millet, foxtail millet, and Kodo millet. These are popularly known as "poor man's crop". They are not traded on global markets, and in other regions of the world, they are not even traded on local markets. "Brown top millet" will come under minor millets which are still hidden even if it has a good nutrition profile. Brown top millet scientifically called Brachiariaramosa will grow in warm and dry areas and will give yield annually. Southern India's sparse and erratic rainfall and poor and marginal soils are ideal growing environments for brown top millet, which has its origins in Southeast Asia. It is well-known as a short-duration crop because of its higher yield per unit of time, lower input needs, and tolerance to drought and shade. It is also well-suited to a variety of soil types and can withstand extreme moisture stress. The browntop millet is named korale in Kannada, Andakorra in Telugu, and Bundelkhand in northcentral India popular in Tamil. The biggest threat to agriculture and food security globally, particularly for the poor, is posed by challenges like climate change, water scarcity, increasing food prices, and other socioeconomic repercussions. As a result, other nutrient-rich dietary sources are required. Brown shirt Small seeded grasses that are farmed as grain crops in dry areas of temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates are known as millets. However, it hasn't yet become popular because consumers aren't aware of it and food processing corporations aren't interested in it. Brown top offers a wide range of potential uses. This article will discuss "How this forgotten