Kodo is an unusual millet in several respects:

* The only millet in the botanical “tribe” Paspaleae of the subfamily Panicoideae of the grass family (Poaceae)

* A species from Africa, which is apparently rarely if ever actively cultivated there, but is a notable millet crop in parts of South Asia, notably India

* In the wild, this species may be one of the most widely distributed of the millets, even tho it is quite small and localized in production as a crop

* Has relatively high production potential as a crop, but is also seen as an invasive and sometimes a noxious weed

* Has very favorable nutrition profile, yet apparently also a vulnerability under certain conditions to a mycotoxin that can lead to poisoning.

DO, EL, MI, US
NAMA


On Mon, Oct 30, 2023 at 12:20 PM Don Osborn <don@milletsalliance.org> wrote:
The October millet-of-the-month is kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum; sometimes called ricegrass paspalum or ditch millet; FR, herbe à épée; ES, mijo koda) apparently comes from West Africa, but is a cultivated crop mainly in India as well as in some other south Asian countries. No clear info on cultivation in Africa, but it is a known wild food.

Kodo is present in North America, but not a crop anywhere to our knowledge. In parts of the US it is actually classified as a noxious weed. It is an invasive species.

Kodo has a somewhat longer season than other millets, and is said to have a higher yield potential than other small millets. Although like other millets, it is tolerant of drought, it seems to prefer somewhat more humid conditions. However, dampness at time of harvest may lead to contamination of grains.

Food grade kodo millet is imported to North America as packaged grain and flour, as well as some processed products. These come primarily or perhaps exclusively from India. These can be purchased online and at many grocery stores specializing in South Asian foods.

Nutrition is comparable to most other millets. Taste is not "nutty," in my estimation, but a bit "flatter" (more like rice). Better descriptions are welcome.

References:
* Encyclopedia of Life (photos of the plant, many of them from Hawaii; other locations incl. NSW, Australia & Zimbabwe) https://eol.org/pages/1114553/media
* Lost Crops of Africa, Vol. 1 (Grains), p. 249 (download link for chapter) https://nap.nationalacademies.org/cart/download.cgi?record_id=2305&file=237-250
* APEDA, Govt. of India (nutritive value of kodo millet, with bried intro) https://apeda.gov.in/milletportal/Kodo_Millet.html
* Global Invasive Species Database http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1423
* Journal of Food Science Technology (potential mycotoxin contamination of kodo harvested in damp conditions) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9206982/

Don Osborn, PhD
(East Lansing, MI, US)
North American Millets Alliance