Baiga Tribals' Kodo Secret: Supergrain Stores 10 Years, Easy to Grow, Better Than Rice

• Baiga tribals in Balaghat's Satpura hills rely on Kodo millet, a staple for centuries due to its suitability for hilly terrain and low water requirement.
• Kodo is a Kharif crop, cultivated similarly to paddy but needs less irrigation, making it ideal for mountain passes where other crops struggle.
• A unique feature of Kodo is its exceptional shelf life, allowing it to be stored for over 10 years, significantly longer than traditional rice.
• The millet is versatile, used to prepare nutritious dishes like Khichdi, hydrating Pej, and Kodo Bhaat, providing sustained energy, protein, and minerals.
• Baiga community considers Kodo superior to rice for its faster cooking, better taste, and higher nutritional value, acting as a powerhouse food.

Why It Matters: Kodo millet is the Baiga tribals' ancient superfood, offering easy cultivation, long storage, and superior nutrition.