Finger millet, commonly known as ragi, is predominantly grown in southern India and contributes nearly 40% of total small millet production in India. It is a nutritious, gluten-free cereal that is rich in calcium, iron, protein and fiber. Ragi has shallow, branched roots and erect, branching stems. Its leaves are arranged alternately with a prominent midrib. The inflorescence is a branched panicle resembling fingers, ranging from 3 to 20 spikes. Ragi is cultivated using both rainfed and irrigated methods, with seed treatment, spacing of 25x15 cm, and fertilizer application of 40:20:20 NPK kg/ha. Key pests of

1. Shovan Das, B.Sc. (Ag.), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya 1
Finger millet is commonly known as Ragi. It is predominantly grown as a dry land crop in Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Finger millet contributes nearly 40% of total small millet produce
of India, occupying nearly 3.2 million ha. Ragi is relished mostly by the rural population of southern
India for the nutritious meal it provides.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
o Root: a Ragi is having shallow, branched fibrous root system. As the seedlings begin to grow,
fibrous roots arise from the basal nodes. When seedlings are pulled out, most of the roots get
torn off but very soon fresh roots develop.
o Stem: The stem is slender, erect, glaborous and smooth, sometimes branching. It is
compressed, elliptic and it is green in colour. It is hollow at the internodes and solid at the
nodes. The lower internodes are short and the longest being the terminal node carrying the
inflorescence. The plant is robust, free tillering. Tufted annual grass up to 170 cm tall.
o Leaf: The leaves are arranged alternately on either side of the compressed elliptical culm and
it is green in colour. The leaves are distichous, simple and
entire. The leaf sheath envelops the stem more or less
completely and very little of internodes are exposed. The leaf
sheath is flattened, over lapping, split along the entire length.
The leaf blade has a prominent midrib, ligule, a fringe of
hairs. Leaf blade is linear and taper to an acute point, folded
and striated and often with ciliated margins. Ligule is 1 to 2
mm long, fimbriate.
o Panicle: It is borne on a long peduncle. The panicle consists
of a variable number of spikes ranging from 3 to 20 arranged
in a bird’s foot style. It resembles fingers on hand; hence its
common name is finger millet. The rachis of the spikes is flat.
There are four types of panicle shapes, namely, (i) In-curved
(short fingers), (ii) Top-curved (longer fingers), (iii) Open
(longest fingers) and (iv) Fisty (so long that it bends and take
a shape like fist).
o Spikelet: The spikelets are carried on small
rachillae at the ends of the branches of the
panicle. They are often curved, crowded, 2 to
4 flowered. They are ovoid-ellipsoid, up to 10
mm. They are sessile and arranged in 2 rows
alternately attached to one side of the rachis.
Spikelets about 70 arranged alternately on
rachis, each containing 4 to 7 seeds. Each
spikelet is 3 to 7 flowered enclosed by the
lemma and palea. The lower glume is ovate,
obtuse and keeled with lateral nerve close to
the keel. The upper glume is similar, but
slightly longer. Enclose bisexual flowers, but
terminal ones sometimes sterile or male,
Botanical description, nutritional facts and cultivation practices of Ragi
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Graminae
Subfamily: Chloridoideae
Genus: Eleusine
Species: Coracana

2. Shovan Das, B.Sc. (Ag.), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya 2
arranged in two opposite rows and two lodicules each. Flowering lemmas are broadly ovule,
acute, three nerved and 2-5 mm long. Palea slightly shorter than lemma, two keeled with the
keel wings. There are two lodicules broad and trunky
o Grain: The grain is globose and smooth one with the pericarp thin, hyaline and loose. The
base of the grain is slightly flattened with a small depression called as hilum. The grain shows
a slight flattening, which marks the position of the embryo. The naked grain is more or less
spherical in shape and the colour can be brown, reddish brown, black, orange red, purple and
white.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Ragi is a rich source of calcium, iron, protein, fiber and other minerals. The cereal has low fat
content and contains mainly unsaturated fat. It is easy to digest and does not contain gluten.
Finger millet is considered one of the most nutritious cereals which helps in keeping weight in
control, maintaining bone health, lowering blood cholesterol, control anaemia and for diabetics
because of lower glycemic response i.e. lower ability to increase blood sugar level. Ragi is rich in
amino acids which are vital in normal functioning of body and are essential for repairing body
tissues. If consumed regularly, Ragi could help in keeping malnutrition, degenerative diseases and
premature aging at bay. Green ragi is recommended for
conditions of blood pressure, liver disorders, asthma, lactating
mother and heart weakness. Its high intake could increase
quantity of oxalic acid in the body. Therefore, it is not advised to
patients having kidney stones. Finger Millet can be value added
to prepare cakes, roti, dosa, porridge, upma, pitha, halwa, biscuits
from the powder of Ragi.
CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF RAGI
FIELD PREPARATION: In the month of April or May, one deep
ploughing with mould board plough, followed by ploughing with
wooden plough twice is necessary. Before sowing secondary tillage
with cultivator and multiple tooth hoes to prepare smooth seed bed is necessary. Prepare a well
pulverized seed bed for direct seeding of ragi. Apply FYM or compost 5t/ha and incorporate well into
the soil along with fertilizer before sowing.
SOIL TREATMENT: Azospirillum (2 kg/ha) and Phosphobacteria (2 kg/ha) of the recommended
bio fertilizers are mixed with in 20 to 25 kg of compost and kept overnight. This mixture is
incorporate in the soil at the time of sowing or planting.
CULTIVATION SYSTEMS: There are two systems of cultivation is practiced in Ragi –
1) Rainfed System
2) Irrigated System – (a) Direct sown, (b) Transplanted, (c) SRI (System of Ragi Intensification)
SEED RATE: Seeds are very small (400 seeds / g) and take 5 -7 days to germinate. Seed rates are –
o Rainfed – 20 kg/ha
o Direct Sown – 10-15 kg/ha
o Transplanted – 3-5 kg/ha
Proteins - 9.2%
Fat - 1.29%
Carbohydrates - 76.32%
Minerals - 2.24%
Ash - 3.90%
Calcium - 0.33%

3. Shovan Das, B.Sc. (Ag.), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya 3
o SRI – 1.25 kg/40sqm nursery
SEED TREATMENT: Treat the seeds with Azospirillum (N fixing bacterium) and Aspergillus (P
solubilizing fungus) @ 25 gm/kg. In case of chemical mix the seeds in a polythene bag to ensure a
uniform coating of seeds with Thiram 4 g/ kg or Captan 4 g/kg or Carbendazim 2 g/kg of seeds.
TIME OF SOWING: Ragi can be cultivated throughout the year with the help of irrigation.
System Season Month Varieties Sown
Rainfed Kharif Jun-July Paiyur 1, CO 13, Paiyur 2
Late Kharif Sept-Oct Paiyur 1, CO 13
Irrigated Early kharif Apr-May AKP 2, CO 9, CO 13, CO RA 14
Kharif Jun-July Paiyur 1, CO 13, Paiyur 2
Late Kharif Aug-Sept AKP 7, Kalyani
Rabi Oct-Dec VZM 2, CO 9, CO 13, TRY 1
North Hills (UP,HP) Early Kharif Apr-May CO 9, CO 13, CO RA 14
METHOD OF SOWING:
o Direct Sowing
i) Broadcasting: Spreading of seed directly in the field.
ii) Line Sowing: Seeds are sown in line by shallow furrows.
iii) Drilling: Sowing by seed-cum-fertilizer drill is advantageous for efficient utilization of
nutrients.
o Transplanting: Sowing of seeds in nursery bed, then planting in the main field.
SOWING DEPTH: Shallow planting within 5 cm depth encourages quick establishment & better
tillering. Broadcast treated seeds evenly on the beds. Cover the seeds by levelling out the hand lightly
over the soil. Sprinkle 500 kg of powdered FYM over the beds evenly to cover the seeds which are
exposed and compact the surface lightly.
SPACING: Long duration varieties need much spacing than short duration varieties.
o Direct Sowing – 25 cm × 15 cm
o Transplanting – 22.5 cm × 10 cm
o SRI – 25 cm × 25 cm
NURSERY MANAGEMENT: Seedlings should be raised in well prepared nurseries in an area of
500 m2
for transplanting of 1 ha area. Apply 20 basket of FYM and small dose of fertilizer to help
rapid growth of the seedlings. The seedling will be ready within 25 to 30 days.
In case of SRI 1.25 kg seed is sown on 40 Sq. m area. Apply another layer of FYM to cover the seeds.
Irrigate carefully every morning and evening.
TRANSPLANTING: For transplantation purpose, use three to four weeks old seedlings. Before
pulling the seedling, nursery should be irrigated. Prepare slurry with 2 packets 300 gm/acre of
Azospirillum inoculant in 40 Lit of water and dip the root portion of the seedlings in the solution for
15-30 min and transplant. Transplant 2 seedlings/hill at distance of 22.5×10 cm and at depth of 2-3

4. Shovan Das, B.Sc. (Ag.), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya 4
cm. On third day after transplantation irrigate the field. In absence of timely rain, irrigate the
transplanted field regularly till seedlings are well established.
In case of SRI, 10 to 15 days old seedlings with just two leave have to be transplanted. This ensures
more tillers and more root growth. While 30 tillers per plant are fairly easy to achieve, 50 tillers per
plant are quite attainable.
BENEFITS AND CONSTRAINTS OF SRI:
Benefits Constraints
 Higher grain and straw yields.
 Reduction in duration by 10 days.
 Lesser chemical inputs.
 Less water requirement (About half that
of conventional method).
 Less chaffy grain.
 Grain weight increased without change in
grain size
 Soil health improves through biological
activity
 Cold tolerance
 Non availability of labours at the initial
states of planting.
 Farmers need more experience to
practices this method.
 Unavailability of suitable weeders.
 Traditional mind set of farmers.
 Lack of awareness about the technology.
 As SRI is labour intensive it is not
suitable for large scale production.
CROPPING SYSTEM:
o Crop rotation: Ragi-Mustard, Ragi-Barley, Ragi-Tobacco, Ragi-Sugarcane, Ragi-Potato-
Maize, Ragi-Rice, Ragi-Potato-Ragi, Ragi-Potato-Maize.
o Intercropping :
i) Ragi + Pigeon pea combination in 8:2 or 6:2 proportion brings higher returns.
ii) Ragi + field bean in 8:1 proportion resulted in enhancing the productivity.
iii) Ragi + Fodder sorghum in 8:1 proportion resulted in enhancing the productivity in
Karnataka.
iv) Ragi + black gram or green gram in 8:2 proportions is the other profitable crop
combinations.
o Mixed cropping: Finger millet may be mixed with pearl millet, maize, sorghum, groundnut,
tapioca, pulses and vegetables.
o Strip cropping:
i) Groundnut + Finger millet 9:6 proportion
ii) In some cases, ragi is intercropped with sugarcane as 4:2 proportions.
IRRIGATION: Ragi cultivated in rainy season generally does not require irrigation. Except rains –
No of Irrigation For nursery For main crop
1st
Immediately after sowing. Establishment (on the day of sowing/planting)
2nd
3rd
day after sowing Vegetative Phase (8th
day after sowing/planting)
3rd
7th
day after sowing Flowering Phase (41st
day after sowing/planting)
4th
12th
day after sowing Maturity Phase (61st
day after sowing/planting)
5th
17th
day after sowing

5. Shovan Das, B.Sc. (Ag.), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya 5
FERTILIZER APPLICATION:
o FYM: 5 tonnes (At field preparation and after seed sowing as cover)
o Chemical fertilizer: 40:20:20 NPK kg/ha for rainfed conditions; 60:30:30 NPK kg/ ha for
irrigated conditions. Apply full dose of P, K and half dose of N at time sowing. Remaining
half dose of N to be applied in two to three splits (after 30 and 50days of sowing) depending
upon moisture availability.
o Bio-fertilizers: Treating seeds with Azospirillum brasilense (N fixing bacterium)
and Aspergillus awamori (P Solubilizing fungus) @ 25 g/kg seed is beneficial. Sticker
solution is necessary for effective seed inoculation. Sticker can be prepared by dissolving 25g
jaggery or sugar in 250 ml water and boiling for 5 minutes. Smear the seeds well using the
required quantity of sticker solution. The culture-coated seed is to be dried well in shade to
avoid clumping of seeds. Use the inoculated seeds for sowing. Bio-fertilizers are generally
used for SRI method.
WEED MANAGEMENT:
o Early weeding of the direct seeded crop is essential for getting good yields.
o The 1st hoeing & weeding is done @ 2 to 3 weeks after sowing. When necessary 2nd
weeding may be done 15-20 days after irrigation.
o In assured rainfall and irrigated areas:
1. Pre-emergence spray: Isoproturon @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha. (Rainfed areas), Oxyflurofen @
0.1 lit a.i./ha (Irrigated areas)
2. Post-emergent spray; 2, 4 -D sodium salt @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha Spraying around 20- 25
days after sowing effectively control weeds.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT:
Disease Causal Organism Symptoms Management
1. Blast Pyricularia grisea Burnt appearance on
ear, also lodging of crop
is seen.
Blast resistant varieties. seed treatment
with carbendazim @2 gm/kg. Foliar
spray with Aureofungin sol@100 ppm
and Pseudomonas fluorescens@0.2%.
2. Mosaic Mosaic virus Initially small chlorotic
specks, yellowing of
whole plant
Removal of infected plant from the
field. Spray of Methyl demeton @
25EC 200 ml/acre.
3. Seedling
blight
Helminthosporium
nodulosum
Minute, oval, light
brown lesions on the
young leave and become
dark brown.
Removal of infected plant. Treat the
seeds with Captan or Thiram @4g/Kg.
Spray 1% Bordeaux mixture or Copper
oxy chloride.
INSECT MANAGEMENT:
Insect Scientific name Management
1. Army &
cutworm
Spodoptera
exigua
Trichogramma parasitoid weekly once for 3 weeks continuously.
Dusting of Malathion 5%@ 10 kg/acre or Quinalphos
1.5%@250ml/acre.
2. Aphid Schizaphis
graminum
Methyl demeton 25EC@80ml/acre or Dimethoate 30 EC @200
ml/acre.

6. Shovan Das, B.Sc. (Ag.), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya 6
3. White Stem
borer
Saluria inficita Carabaryl 50WP@1 kg/acre or Dimethoate 30 EC@200ml.
4. Ear head
bug
Calocoris
angustatus
Use of pheromone trap. Malathion 400ml or Carbaryl 600gm in
per acre.
5. Grass
hopper
Chrotogonus
trachypterus
Spray with carbaryl 50 WP@600 gm/acre.
6. Leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis
medinalis
Crop rotation, wider spacing. Spray Chlorpyriphos@2.5ml or
Quinalphos@2.5ml or Acephate@1gm or Carbaryl@1gm or
Cartap Hydrochloride@2gm/Ltr.
7. Pink stem
borer
Sesamia
inferens
Use of Trichogramma. Spray Carbaryl 50WP @ 1Kg/ha.
8. Flea beetle Chaetocnema
pusaensis
Removal of crop debris. Use of carbosulfan @ 6.25 g a.i. /kg of
seed or imidacloprid @ 6 g and 3 g a.i. / kg of seed.
9. Black hairy
caterpillar
Estigmene
lactinea
Spray Carbaryl50 WP@4g/lit, Methomyl 40WP@1.6g/lit. Dust
the crop with malathion 5% @ 25 Kg/ha or Methyl parathion 2%.
10. Stink bug Nezara viridula Trap crop around the field. Use of egg parasitoids like Telenomus
podisi and T. utahensi.
11. Ear head
caterpillar
Euproctis
subnotata
Use of light trap & pheromone trap.
12. Jassid Cicadulina
bipunctella
Spray Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.7 ml/lit or Phosphomidan 100 EC
0.5 ml/lit or Monocrotophos 36 EC 2ml/lit.