Pearl millet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pearl millet |
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| U.S. pearl millet hybrid for grain | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pennisetum
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| Species: |
glaucum
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Pearl millet is the most widely grown type of millet. It is a very old grain that people have been growing for thousands of years. It's a special plant because it can grow well even in tough places. For example, it can survive in very dry areas or even when there are floods. This makes it a super important food source for many people around the world.
History and Spread
Pearl millet probably started growing in the Sahel zone of West Africa. This is a large area south of the Sahara Desert. Scientists have found signs that people first started growing pearl millet there a very long time ago. This was between 2500 and 2000 BC, in what is now northern Mali.
From Africa, pearl millet began to spread. Around 2000 BC, it was being grown in India. It likely reached the southern parts of India by 1500 BC. The plant also continued to spread across Africa. Today, it is grown a lot in the northern parts of Nigeria.
Pearl millet was later brought to other parts of the world. It arrived in the United States in the 1850s. Then, in the 1960s, it was introduced to Brazil. Its ability to grow in difficult conditions made it valuable in new places too.
Why Pearl Millet is Important
Pearl millet is very easy to grow. It is also very good at adapting to harsh weather. This includes conditions like drought (when there is not enough rain) and floods (when there is too much water). Because of this, it is a key crop for many farmers. It helps feed people and animals in areas where other crops might struggle.
Images for kids
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Fruiting
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A scientist in Zimbabwe checks a pearl millet crop
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Mahangu pounding in Namibia
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Mahangu pounding in Namibia
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This flour mill in Tanzania mills pearl millet.
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See also
In Spanish: Cenchrus americanus para niños
