Ragi is suited for cultivation in areas with annual rainfall of 700-1200 mm. It does not tolerate heavy rainfall and requires a dry spell at the time of grain ripening. It grows well in altitudes of 1000-2000 m with average
temperature of 27ºC. Ragi is cultivated mostly in red lateritic soils. Relatively fertile and well drained soils are the most suitable.
Seasons
Ragi is not a season bound crop and hence can be cultivated throughout the year, if moisture is available. It is usually grown during the following seasons.
Main season: June-September
Late season: July-October
Summer: Dec-Jan to March-April
Varieties
PR-202, K-2, Co-2,Co-7,Co-8,Co-9, Co-10
Seeds and sowing
Seed rate
Direct sown crop : 5 kg ha-1
Transplanted crop : 4-5 kg ha-1
Spacing : 25 x 15 cm
Prepare the nursery field to a fine tilth. Incorporate FYM/compost 5 t ha-1 and form beds and channels. Sow seeds uniformly on the beds and cover by stirring the soil. Apply carbaryl 10 per cent on the edges of the beds against ants. One week before uprooting seedlings, apply ammonium sulphate @ of 1 kg per 100 m2. A nursery area of 480 m2 is necessary to raise seedlings for one hectare. Transplant the seedlings when they are three weeks old.
Manuring
Plough the field 3-4 times and incorporate FYM or compost 5 t ha-1. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potash @ 22.5 kg ha-1 each before sowing or planting. Topdress nitrogen @22.5 kg ha-1 21 days after sowing or planting.
Aftercultivation
Weeding should be done three weeks after sowing and completed before top dressing.
Irrigation
Irrigate the field on the day of transplantation. Irrigation at weekly intervals increases growth rate and yield.
Plant protection
For controlling grasshoppers, spray carbaryl 50 per cent WP @1.2 kg ha-1. The pink stem borer, which causes dead heart symptoms, is often serious in the early stages of the crop. Insecticidal control is not needed for mild to moderate levels of infestation.
For controlling blast, spray mancozeb 750-1000 g ha-1.
Harvesting
Harvest the crop when the ears are yellowish brown. Heap the harvested ears and cover the heaps with ragi straw for 2-3 days before threshing.
