Local names: Hindi: Bajara Telugu: Sajja Tamil: Cumbu Kannada: Sajje Marathi: Bajri
It is quick growing, disease resistant, high tillering fodder crop, suitable for sowing in arid and semi arid regions. It can be sown early in spring under irrigated conditions and in kharif under rainfed condition. It is not suitable in high rainfall areas. It does well even on light soils. It is sown alone or in mixture with guar or cowpea. Its cultivation and other particulars are like sorghum.
Nutritive value
A1/3 and new hybrid varieties are good for fodder
as well as for grain production. Fresh and mature pearl millet contains 2.3% crude protein and 36% crude fibre.
Varieties
Giant Bajara, APFB-2, Rajco, HB 3, 4, 5 are grain hybrids suitable for fodder production.
