Mazenta Agro

Somajiguda, Hyderabad, Telangana

Sorghum bicolor, commonly called sorghum and also known as great millet, durra, jowari, or milo, is a grass species cultivated for its grain, which is used for food, both for animals and humans, and for ethanol production. Sorghum originated in northern Africa, and is now cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions. Sorghum is the world's fifth most important cereal crop after rice, wheat, maize and barley.

Jowar is grown both as kharif as well as a rabi crop. As a kharif crop, it grows well in areas having mean monthly temperature of 26C to 33C.

Among the different kinds of cereal crops in India, jowar occupies a major prominence. Besides being a staple diet for the poorer section of the society, it is also used for animal feed and industrial raw materials. Different parts of the country have the potential to have this important cereal crop grown, which is also a major product of agriculture in many other countries. Since it can grow in semi arid climates, where other crops do not have a chance of growing, this crop has been grown in these areas. Requiring semi arid climatic conditions, the jowar crop has proved to be a good agricultural practice in the country. In comparison to other cereal food items, jowar has a significant value.

• Low in saturated fat

• No choresterol

• No sugar

• High in manganese

• Prevent heart failure

Maize is mainly a rainfed kharif crop which is sown just before the onset of monsoon and is harvested after retreat of the monsoon. In Tamil Nadu it is a rabi crop and is sown a few weeks before the onset of winter rainy season in Sept. and Oct. It requires 50-100 cm of rainfall and it cannot be grown in areas of more than 100 cm rainfall.

Fertile well-drained alluvial or red loams free from coarse materials and rich in nitrogen are the best soils for its successful growth. Well drained plains are best suited for its cultivation, although it grows in some hilly areas also. The cultivation of maize in India is characterised by inter-culture i.e. along with and in pulses, vegetables and oil seeds.

The leafy stalk of the plant produces separate pollen and ovuliferous inflorescences or ears, which are fruits, yielding kernels (often erroneously called seeds). Maize kernels are often used in cooking as a starch.

• Aside from containing varying amounts of water, corn is mainly composed of carbohydrates, and has small amounts of protein and fat.

• Like all cereal grains, corn is primarily composed of carbs.

• Corn contains a fair amount of fiber.

• Corn is a decent source of protein.

• Corn may contain a fair amount of several vitamins and minerals.