Pearl Millet

Pearl Millet is. Known as Bajra in Hindi and Bengali, Sajjalu in Telugu, Kambu in Tamil and Malayalam, Sajje in Kannada, and Bajri in Gujarati, Pearl millet is a widely grown millet in India and West Africa.

The Pearl Millet’s scientific name is Cenchrus americanus; it is also referred to as African Millet or Spiked Millet in different regions.

Archaeobotanical research suggests that Bajra cultivation dates back to 2000 BC, starting in the Hallur district of Karnataka.

Today, Rajasthan stands as the top producer of Bajra due to its ability to thrive in harsh climates, drought, and low soil fertility. Bajra's recent surge in popularity is mainly attributed to its high nutritional value.