Source: http://vasat.icrisat.org/?q=node/335

Economic Importance of Pearl Millet

Pearl millet is one of the most extensively cultivated cereals in the world, after rice,  wheat, and sorghum, and particularly in arid to semi-arid regions.

Crop	Area (Million ha)	Production (million MT)
Wheat	216	626
Rice	154	615
Maize	147	692
Barley	57	138
Sorghum	43	57
Millet	27	154

Source: FAO 2005 World Area and Production of Major Grain Crops during 2005

Pearl Millet is a principal food cereal cultivated in drought prone semi-arid regions of Africa and Indian subcontinent. In the USA, Australia, Southern Africa, and South America, pearl millet is grown most extensively as a forage crop. In the USA, Australia and South America, pearl millet is grown mainly for animal feed.

Making Of Roties (Flat Bread) With Pearl Millet Dough

In addition to grain and forage uses, pearl millet crop residues and green plants also provide sources of animal feed, building material, and fuel for cooking, particularly in dry land areas.

  Pearl Millet Crop residue Used As Fodder

Pearl millet crop has a wide adaptability to local environments. Pearl millet is hardy and can grow in areas very hot and dry, and on soils too poor for sorghum. Pearl millet is considered more efficient in utilization of soil moisture and has a higher level of heat tolerance than even sorghum and maize.

Pearl Millet crop In desert Type Of Environment

Pearl Millet is adapted to warm and dry climate but the greatest area of the crop is cultivated in drought-prone areas of the world. In these areas, pearl millet is usually grown with limited inputs in conditions of sparse rainfall, low soil fertility, and face disease and pest problems, with correspondingly poor yields

          Pearl Millet With Low / No Inputs

Average yields of pearl millet are lower than important grain crops (Table).

Crop	Average Yield (kg/ha) (World)
Maize	4859
Rice	3970
Wheat	2869
Barley	2720
Sorghum	1357
Millet	821

Source: FAO 2004 The lower average yields are primarily a result of the hot, dry conditions where pearl millet is mostly grown, rather than pearl millet plant’s capability.

Pearl millet hybrids grown under better conditions yield 3000 to 4000 kg/ha compared to 300 to 800 kg/ha when moisture and soil fertility become limiting factors.

A majority of the subsistence farmers who typically cultivate this crop are unable to take advantage of high yield potential because they have limited options for improving their management practices. Hence, pearl millet production can be achieved through growing varieties/hybrids with improved tolerance to drought, resistance to diseases and responding to higher rates of fertilizer applications. It is observed that the food habits of pearl millet eating people are changing towards rice and wheat products.Consumer preference for pearl millet has fallen due to irregular supplies, rising incomes and rapid urbanization.Particularly in towns, the working women, with less time at home, have shifted from pearl millet to readily available processed foods (milled rice, wheat flour, etc.,) that are far quicker and more convenient to prepare. However,there is hope to improve the farmers’ income from pearl millet cultivation. In addition to pearl millet as a food crop, there are possibilities of other alternative uses of pearl millet such as novel foods, processed foods, and as feed for dairy animals and poultry. Thus, commercialization of alternative food, feed, and industrial products is one of the ways to increase demand for pearl millet.