Finger millet

Finger millet - Photo by DFID

Finger millet is a cereal grown mainly in drier regions of Africa and Asia. Seeds are used to make flour which can be used to make bread, porridge or pancakes.

In some regions finger millet is used for human consumption as a staple food. Seeds are also used as animal feed.

Names

Scientific
   Eleusine coracana
English
   African millet
   Finger millet
   Koracan
   Ragi
Dutch
   Vingergierst
French
   Coracan
   Éleusine
   Eleusine cultivee
   Koracan
German
   Fingerhirse

Taxonomy

Genus
   Eleusine
Family
   Poaceae
Order
   Poales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Finger millet originates from east Africa, possibly Uganda or Ethiopia.

Distribution:

Finger millet is cultivated in the drier areas of Africa and Asia, with highest production in India.

Annual, biennial, or perennial:

Finger millet is an annual plant.

Flowers:

The plants produces clusters of 4 to 6 ears, which are 5 to 15 cm long.

Climate and weather:

Finger millet grows well in semi-arid tropical climates and is also adapted to high altitude in mountainous regions.

Height:

Finger millet usually is between 40 and 100 cm high.

Spacing:

Finger millet is often grown intercropped with other plants such as peanut, cowpea, pigeon pea and Niger seeds.

Propagation:

Finger millet is grown from seed.

Insect pests:

Diseases:

Harvesting:

Usually harvested by hand. The seeds can be stored for a long time.

Uses:

Finger millet is often used for human consumption, sometimes as a staple food. It is ground to flour which can be used to prepare bread or porridge. The seeds are also used as animal fodder.

Did you know that?

Several small grain cereals are all known by the name “Millet” but are actually different crop species.

Crop categories

Cereals
Food crops
Tropical crops
Staple food
Forage and fodder crops

Pictures