Finger Millet Farming tips in India - Benefits of Ragi

Finger millet is beneficial for anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraines, blood pressure, liver disorders, asthma, heart weakness, and lactating mothers with low milk production.

Finger millets need warm climates, altitudes up to 2,100m, germination at 8-10°C, and mean growth temps of 26-29°C. Rainfall of 500-900mm boosts yield.

Finger millets grow in diverse soils, tolerating some alkalinity. Optimal are alluvial, loamy, or sandy types with good drainage. Deep ploughing at monsoon onset ensures fine tilth for proper germination.

In high-rainfall areas, millet can be transplanted on well-drained soil and is grown mainly during the kharif season. Sowing methods include broadcasting, line sowing, drilling, and transplantation.

Finger millet, a rainy-season crop, usually doesn't need irrigation but may require it during tillering and flowering if rainfall stops. Prepare furrows to aid irrigation and drainage.

Crops mature in 120-135 days. Harvesting in 2 stages: cutting earheads with sickles, drying in the sun for 3-4 days, then threshing. Alternatively, whole plants are sun-dried for 2-3 days before threshing.