Millet Industry Scenario

Abstract

Millets are one of the important cereal grains superior in protective nutrients and are easily digestible. They have high content of calcium and low glycaemic index. Foxtail, little, kodo, proso, barnyard, and brown top millets are among the most commonly cultivated millets that have hard cellulosic husk outer layer. Processing of millets for human consumption essentially involves cleaning, grading and dehusking of the grains. The processing of millets involves the removal of outer husk in the process of millet grain processing. The modern millet processing technique involves different equipment and machines to process large quantities with an intention to reduce drudgery and improve the quality and quantity of output. Improved millet dehusking machines, namely rubber roll sheller and single-stage and double-stage centrifugal dehuskers, with various capacities have been developed. Millets have been utilised since prehistoric times for culinary, medicinal, livestock etc. The various value-added products have been developed to utilise the nutritional components of these important healthy foods. Products such as flaked millet; puffed millet; extruded and roller-dried millet products; fermented, malted and composite millet flours; and weaning foods have been developed for the utilisation of this important health food.