Eleusine coracana
Sunlight
Full sun
Water
500-1,000 mm per crop. Moderately drought-tolerant. Requires moisture at flowering/grain fill.
Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic loam. pH 5.0-6.5. Grows on marginal soils where wheat and maize cannot.
Temperature
Optimal 22-28°C. Cool highland crop (1,000-2,400 m in tropics). Tolerates moderate cold.
Humidity
Moderate. High humidity during heading promotes blast disease.
Season
Warm season — 90-130 days. Plant at onset of long rains in East Africa.
Updated February 2026
Ist das Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine)?
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Overview
Finger millet is the most nutritious of all millets and a critical food security crop for highland East Africa and southern India. It has the highest calcium content of any cereal (344 mg/100g), three times that of milk, making it vital for bone health in communities without dairy access. The grain stores for decades without insect damage (due to polyphenol content), making it the ultimate famine reserve crop. Finger millet grows at 1,000-2,400 m elevation where maize is unreliable. India (Karnataka) and East Africa (Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania) are the major producers. The crop is gaining global attention as a 'superfood' due to its nutritional profile.
Plant Health
Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine) is susceptible to 1 known diseases. Early detection is critical — use the CuraPlant app to scan leaves and get an instant AI diagnosis.
Cultivation Guide
Transplant 25-30 day old seedlings at 25 × 10 cm for highest yields
Apply 40-60 kg N/ha in 2 splits — at transplanting and at tillering
Weed thoroughly in first 30 days — finger millet establishes slowly
Protect against blast with fungicide at heading stage if weather is humid
Harvest when fingers (panicle branches) turn brown and grain is hard
Thresh gently (finger millet grain is small) and store in airtight containers
Companion Planting
Strategic companion planting reduces pest pressure, improves pollination, and can significantly increase yields.
Climate & Regions
Active climate zones for Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine) are highlighted below.
Tropical
Suitable
Subtropical
Not typical
Temperate
Not typical
Mediterranean
Not typical
Highland
Suitable
Arid / Semi-arid
Suitable
Specific Zones & Regions
Common Questions
Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine) grows best during the warm season — 90-130 days. plant at onset of long rains in east africa.. It requires optimal 22-28°c. cool highland crop (1,000-2,400 m in tropics). tolerates moderate cold. and full sun. In tropical regions with consistent warmth, it can often be grown year-round with proper irrigation.
Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine) is commonly affected by Finger Millet Blast. Regular crop monitoring, good air circulation, avoiding overhead irrigation, and using disease-resistant varieties are the most effective prevention strategies.
Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine) grows best in well-drained, slightly acidic loam. ph 5.0-6.5. grows on marginal soils where wheat and maize cannot.. For irrigation: 500-1,000 mm per crop. moderately drought-tolerant. requires moisture at flowering/grain fill.. Maintaining proper soil moisture without waterlogging is critical — Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine) is sensitive to both drought stress and root rot from excess water.
Finger Millet (Ragi / Eleusine) grows well alongside pigeon-pea, field-bean. These companions help repel pests, improve pollination, or provide ground cover.
CuraPlant
Scan any leaf with your phone and get an instant AI diagnosis, treatment guide, and prevention plan — even offline.
