Brown Top Millet Farming: Know what is the advanced method of cultivating brown top millet?

Brown Top Millet Farming: Millet is making a comeback in people’s plate. Knowing about its benefits, people are including it in their diet. There are many types of millets, one of them is brown top millet, which is also known by different names.

Brown top millet is a main crop of South India, but today it is becoming famous all over the country due to its specialties and nutrients. In Hindi speaking states it is called ‘Choti Kangni’, ‘Kharpad’, while in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka it is known by names like Palapul, Korale, Andkora. By the way, its scientific name is Brachiaria ramosa.

Nutrients found in brown top millet

Brown top millet is a hot season crop which is rich in nutrients. It is rich in calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. The most important thing is that brown top millet is gluten free. This is a very good option for people who like to stay away from gluten.

The Prime Minister has promoted millet crop

Let us tell you that the United Nations had declared the year 2023 as the International Millet Crop Year, after which Prime Minister Modi launched several schemes to promote millet crop. Also promoted millet startups in the country. Due to this, farmers have started growing brown top millet in their fields again.

Features of Brown Top Millet Crop

Farmers can grow brown top millet with very little water and even in poor soil. Due to high protein, it has the power to fight many diseases. Brown top millet is cultivated in places with hot climate. This crop can be easily grown in places where there is drought. Along with this, brown top millet is also cultivated in shady places. It grows easily in the shade of tamarind tree in South India. It does not require much water. Also, this crop also prevents soil erosion.

The upper part of brown top millet or murat is brown in color. That is why it is called brown top millet. It is also considered the rarest grain among coarse grains. It takes 60 to 90 days for the crop to be ready.

When the brown top millet crop is ready, the height of its plant ranges from 10 to 70 centimeters. The length of the leaves is 2 to 25 centimeters and the width is 4 to 14 millimeters. Brown top millet is grown well in Tumkur, Chitradurga and Chikkaballapura districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. It is also grown in Bundelkhand in North India.

Brown top millet farming guide: sowing of crop and seeds

Green Kangni or brown top millet crop can be planted in most areas from mid-April to mid-August. If a farmer wants to grow this crop in his field, then 5 kg of seeds are required in one acre of land.

Sow the seeds at the rate of 11-12 kg per acre as per broadcast method, and cover the seeds to a depth of half an inch in the seed bed. Before sowing, the seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours. Please note that sowing of Choti Kangni should be done in June-July in Kharif season and in September to October in Rabi season.

Climate and soil for brown top millet

Brown top millet is grown in different types of soil and climate. It can be grown in dry weather and shady places. The specialty of this crop is that it grows well in dry conditions.

Brown top millet is 1 to 3 feet long and has hairy nodes in smooth stems. The seeds are round and brown in color which get ready in about 60 days. Brown top millet seeds should be treated with carbendazim 2 gm/kg.

Irrigation in Brown top millet cultivation

Let us tell you that millet is mainly a Kharif season crop which requires less irrigation. On the other hand, if the dry season lasts for a long time, then this brown top crop should be given 1 to 2 irrigations.

Weed control for brown top millet crop

For any good crop, it is very important that it is weed free. Weeding should be done twice in the brown top millet crop. The first weeding should be done 15 days after weeding and 15 to 20 days after the sprouts emerge.

Harvesting of Brown Top Millet Crop

Green Kangni Millet has the power to ripen quickly, so the crop is ready in 75 to 80 days. Let us tell you that many farmers of the country also grow it for animal fodder.

Yield of Brown Top Millet

Brown top millet or signalgrass crop gives about 7 to 8 quintals of grain per acre. At the same time, it gives the yield of four tractor loads of good quality fodder.

Benefits of eating Brown Top Millet

Carbohydrates, magnesium, protein, manganese, calcium, thiamine, vitamins, iron, phosphorus, fiber, riboflavin are found in abundance in brown top millet. It removes the problem of stomach, arthritis, blood pressure, thyroid, eye problems as well as obesity. 

Brown top millet is also beneficial in the treatment of ulcers, piles, blood related problems, bone diseases, breast, skin cancer, intestinal diseases.

Brown top millet has tremendous anti-cancer qualities. Antioxidants and vitamin B-17 help prevent cancer.

The fiber present in brown top millet releases glucose slowly into the blood, due to which the amount of sugar remains controlled.