Ragi cultivated for grain, and it is also called coarse grain. It is also called African ragi, finger millet, and red millet. Its plants are one to one and a half meters high, yielding throughout the year. The calcium in ragi seeds is very high, so the bones become strong by consuming it. It is the best food for both kids and adults. It contains the highest amount of protein, fiber, fat and carbohydrates.
All these things help in doing physical activities. Apart from eating its grains, it is also used for making many types of things. For example, regular roti, double roti, and dosa are made from flour by grinding their grains. Ragi grains can be boiled and eaten, and alcohol is also made from it.
Soil, Climate and Temperature
To cultivate ragi, sandy loam soil containing organic matter is required. The land for its cultivation should have proper drainage because the plant gets destroyed in waterlogged ground. Therefore, it is cultivated during the Kharif season. Moreover, New Holland Excel 4710 is the best tractor model for accomplishing every farming task.
Its plants grow well in hot climates and should be harvested before cold climates. Its cultivation requires average rainfall. Ragi plants grow well at 35-degree temperatures. But its seeds need 20 to 22 degrees temperature at the time of seed germination. Its plants can tolerate a maximum temperature of 35 degrees and a minimum of 15 degrees.
Field Preparation & Fertiliser
Before sowing ragi seeds, the field is adequately prepared. For this, the area is first well ploughed deeply. Due to this, the remains of the old crop in the field are destroyed. After pressing the field, it is left open for some time. After putting the manure in the soil, plough it well. Because of this, the cow dung gets mixed well in the field’s soil. After this, two to three slant ploughing of the domain is done through cultivators.
Then the field is pulverised by applying water. After pressing, when the field’s soil starts to appear dry, the area is pushed using a rotavator. Due to this, the ground of the field becomes friable. After the soil becomes friable, level the field by applying a pat. There is no water logging in flat areas.
Sowing Method
The drilling method is considered the most suitable for transplanting ragi seeds. It is buried in about 3 cm depth rows and it is prepared in the field for transplanting by drill method. These rows are designed to keep a distance of one foot. In which the machine plants the seeds, these seeds are produced at a distance of 15 cm. These seeds must be buried in the soil at a depth of 4 to 5 cm so the seeds germinate well. Ragi seeds are to be planted between May and June. Apart from this, some places have their roots planted even after June.
Irrigation
Ragi plants do not require much irrigation because their seeds are planted in the rainy season, and their plants can tolerate drought for a long time. However, if there is no rain during the rainy season, the first irrigation is done one month after sowing the seeds. After this, when the flowers and grains are developing on the plants, during that time, irrigation of the plants is done two to three times at an interval of 10 to 15 days. Due to this, seeds are obtained in good shape, and production also increases.
Weed Control
Weeding is done on Ragi plants for weed control by natural method. Its plants require only two to three hoeings. Its initial weeding is done 20 days after sowing the seed, and subsequent weeding is done 15 days from the first. If you want to control weeds by chemical method, you must spray the field with the appropriate amount of isoproturon or oxyfluorfen before sowing the seeds. Moreover, Eicher 333 Tractor is best to control weeds because it can handle equipment easily.
Harvesting
Ragi crop is ready to produce 110 to 120 days after sowing seeds. First, its ends are harvested, separated, collected in the field, and dried well. After this, the grains are separated and filled into the sacks through the machine.
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