Scientific Name: Brachiaria ramose

Indian Names: Hindi: Makara, Telugu: Anda kora, Kannada: Bennakki hullu, Malayalam: Chamapothaval, Tamil: Pala pul.

Browntop Millet is a loosely clustered annual grass, with culms 10-70 cm high. Leaf-blades are broadly linear, 2-25 cm long, 4-14 mm wide Browntop millet grows in rocky, shallow soils from sea level up to 8,000 ft (FAO, 2007). It is adaptable to almost all upland soil (Mitchell et al., 1989), but does not grow well in water-restricted, droughty conditions. It will not survive in temperature less than 52°F.

Browntop millet is not only nutritious but also very delicious. The millet is gluten free and rich in essential nutrients. It is a rich source of natural fiber, when compared to other grains. Browntop Millet contains calcium (28 mg/100g), iron (7.72 mg/100g), phosphorous (276 mg/100g), potassium (60 mg/100g), magnesium (94.5 mg/100g). Since it contains natural fiber it  serves as medicine for dealing with life style diseases. Lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, duodenal ulcer and hyperglycemia (diabetes) are reported among those who regularly consume millets.