How to Cultivate Ragi Plant in India: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Content

• Introduction
• Soil and Climate Requirement for Ragi Cultivation
• Steps Involved in Ragi Cultivation
  • Choose the Right Ragi Crop Variety
  • Soil and Land Preparation for Ragi
  • Sowing of Ragi Crops
  • Irrigation of Ragi Crops
  • Fertiliser Application
  • Weed Control
  • Harvesting and Post-Harvesting of Ragi Crops
• Conclusion

Introduction

Ragi, scientifically known as Eleusine coracana, is a small-seeded cereal grain that has been cultivated in India for several years. Ragi, also called finger millet, is not only a significant food crop but also a valuable source of income for farmers in India. India is the leading producer of ragi in the world and Karnataka contributes 70% to the total ragi production in India.

Soil and Climate Requirement for Ragi Cultivation

Ragi is a crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It means it is grown in regions with high temperatures and dry climate with less rainfall (500 – 1000 mm). Essentially, it is a heat loving plant. It generally requires 8 – 10 degrees Celsius at the time of germination and 26 – 29 degrees Celsius during growth phase of crop. In all, it is an important cereal crop of dryland farming in India.

Ragi crop can be grown in a variety of soil ranging from poor shallow upland soils to rich loamy soils. Usually, it requires porous and well-drained loamy soils, with a preference for light red loam and sandy loam with good fertility and a reasonable water-holding capacity. It can withstand some degree of waterlogging.

Steps Involved in Ragi Cultivation

Ragi cultivation in India goes through different phases and thus requires different strategies for its cultivation. We have detailed below the strategies required at each step.

Choose the Right Ragi Crop Variety

Selecting the appropriate variety of ragi is crucial for successful cultivation. There are different varieties of ragi, and their suitability varies according to the region and climate.

• Popular varieties of ragi in India include Indaf-5, Paiyur 1 & 2, CO 9, CO 19, CO (Ra) 14, GPU-28, and many more.
• You can consult with local agricultural experts or visit your nearest agricultural extension centre to get advice on the best variety for your specific location.

Soil and Land Preparation for Ragi

Ragi is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, but it thrives in well-drained sandy loam soil.

• Before planting, prepare the soil by ploughing it to a depth of 15-20 cm two to three times with a MB plough. Ensure that the soil is well-finished and free from weeds.
• Conduct a soil test to regulate the pH and nutrient content of the soil. Ragi grows best in slightly acidic to neutral soils with a 4.5 to 7.5 pH range.

Sowing of Ragi Crops

Ragi is a Kharif Season Crop which naturally begins in May or June. The optimal time for sowing ragi is just before the onset of the monsoon.

• Create shallow rills on the beds, ensuring they are not deeper than 1 cm.
• Sow the ragi seeds at a depth of 2-3 cm in rows spaced 22.5 to 30 cm apart.
• Evenly distribute 5 kg of treated seeds across the beds.
• Cover the seeds by lightly leveling the soil with your hand.

Irrigation of Ragi Crops

Ragi is known for its tolerance to drought, but proper irrigation is still essential for a good yield. Irrigation frequency differs from soil to soil.

• For red soils: The ragi crop should be irrigated 5 times at regular interval, viz., 1^st day, 3^rd day, 7^th day, 12^th day, and 17^th day after sowing.
• For heavy soils: It should be irrigated 4 times at regular interval, viz., 1^st day, 4^th day, 9^th day, and 16^th day of sowing.
• Let the water enter through the inlet to cover all the channels around the seed bed.
• Allow the waterlogging in the channels up to the height of the raised beds and then cut off the supply of water.
• In regions with erratic rainfall, supplementary irrigation may be necessary.

Fertiliser Application

Ragi is a low-input crop, and excessive fertiliser use can lead to lodging, reduced grain quality, and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.

• Apply well-rotted compost or farmyard manure before sowing at a rate of 10 tons per hectare.
• Apply half the amount of nitrogen (N) and the full doses of both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P2O5) at the base before planting.
• Broadcast the fertiliser mixture across the field before the final ploughing and incorporate it into the soil by using a MB plough.

Weed Control

Effective weed management is critical during the early stages of ragi crop growth.

• Apply herbicides when there is ample soil moisture or irrigate promptly after herbicide application.
• If a pre-emergence herbicide is not used, manually weed on the 10th and 20th days after transplanting.
• Mulching can also help suppress weed growth.

Harvesting and Post-Harvesting of Ragi Crop

Harvesting: Ragi is typically ready for harvesting in about 3 to 4 months from sowing.  The crop is considered mature when the spikes have turned brown, and the grains have become hard and dry.

Threshing: It involves separating the grains from the straw. After threshing, the grains should be cleaned to remove any impurities, broken grains, or debris.

Storage: Store the grains in clean, dry, and well-ventilated containers or bags. Protect the stored grains from pests and rodents by using appropriate storage methods, such as the use of neem leaves or ash.

Processing: To process ragi, clean the grains thoroughly and then dry them in the sun or using mechanical dryers. Once dried, the grains can be milled into flour, rolled into flakes, or processed into ragi-based products like porridge and malt.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ragi cultivation in India offers several benefits, from its adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions to its nutritional value and market potential. By following the comprehensive guide provided above and seeking local agricultural expertise, farmers can successfully cultivate ragi and contribute to both their food security and income generation. The cultivation of ragi not only benefits the farmers but also promotes sustainable agriculture and healthier food options for consumers in India.