Millet

Millet, common name for several varieties of cereal that grow on poor soil and ripen rapidly in hot sun. These characteristics have made it a popular crop in hot, dry countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. The grains can be stored for a long time and are richer in protein than rice, though the yield is small. Fermented millet grain is used to make beer in some countries, e.g. South Africa. In western countries millet is generally grown as cattle feed and for cage-birds. The tall elephant grass of Africa is a millet.