Millets Through the Ages: 6,000 Years of Feeding Civilizations

Thousands of years ago, long before rice and wheat became popular, millets were among the first crops grown by humans. Archaeologists have found evidence of millet farming in the Indus Valley around 3000 BCE. In China, foxtail and proso millet were cultivated as early as 2700 BCE, while in Africa’s Sahel region, pearl millet was grown by 2500 BCE. These grains were trusted because they could grow in poor soil with just 300–500 mm of annual rainfall, unlike rice, which needs much more water.

Millets were eaten by kings, soldiers, and farmers alike. In India, they were used in everyday meals and traditional festivals. Roman soldiers carried millet cakes for energy during battles, and Egyptians made millet bread while building the pyramids. In many parts of the world, millet was a symbol of health, strength, and survival.

By the 20th century, millet lost popularity due to the rise of high-yielding rice and wheat. But its long, rich history — spread across over 6,000 years and multiple continents — shows that millet was once a global staple, feeding entire civilizations.