The use of Kodo millets as a food source can be traced back hundreds of years. It was thought to be one of the first grains cultivated by humans, dating back to the Neolithic period. The plant is thought to have originated in Africa before being introduced to India, where it is now primarily grown.
In India, these millets are known by their regional names such as Arikelu in Telugu, Varagu in Tamil, and Kodra in Hindi.
Kodo millets, which are well known for their high nutritional value and numerous health benefits, are still used as a staple food in many parts of India, particularly in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and the northern states of Uttar Pradesh.