Millets

There are several types of millets, which are all small-seeded grains. These millets do not form a taxonomic group. What they have in common is that they are usually grown in drought-prone areas.

Basic information on millets

Common name:	Millets

Family:	Poaceae
Order:	Poales

Distribution:	Africa (especially in Sahel area) and Asia: Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sudan, Uganda, Chad, Ethiopia, India, China

Main millet species:
	Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
	Foxtail millet (Setaria italica)
	Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum)
	Finger millet (Eleusine coracana)
Some minor millet species:
	Japanese barnyard millet (Echinochloa esculenta)
	Indian barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea)

For more information on individual millet species click on the respective link.