Finger Millet

Finger millet, Eleusine coracana, is an annual grass in the family Poaceae which is grown for its grain which can be used for food or for brewing. Finger millet is a robust tillering grass which grows in tufts. It has erect, light green stems. The leaves of the plant are dark green, linear and mainly smooth with some hair along the leaf edges. The inflorescence of the plant is a cluster of 3–26 ‘fingers’ composed of dense spikelets where the grain, or seed, is produced. Finger millet can reach 1.7 m (5.6 ft) in height and is an annual plant, harvested after one growing season. Finger millet may also be referred to as African fingermillet, goosegrass or millet and originates from the highlands of Eastern Africa.


Finger millet grains are commonly cooked and made into a porridge to accompany other foods.Grain may also be used in the brewing of alcoholic beverages. Millet straw can be used as an animal feed.


Basic requirements Finger millet requires warm temperatures to develop optimally and as such is mainly grown in the tropics. The optimum temperature for the growth of the plants is between 18°C (64.4°C F) and 27°C (80.6°F) and the plants require an average of 750 mm of rainfall over the course of the growing season. Finger millet can be grown in a wide range of soils but a fertile, well-draining sandy loam with a pH between 6.5 and 5.8 is optimal. Finger millet will not tolerate drought and will not grow well in areas with heavy rainfall. Planting If being grown as a rain-fed crop, finger millet is directly seeded in the field by broadcasting. Seeds should be sown to a depth of 2.5 cm (1.0 in) allowing 25 cm (10 in) between rows and 10–12 cm (4–5 in) between plants. The soil is commonly ridged to promote drainage in wet soils. When adequate irrigation is not available, the seeds are grown in nurseries to create transplant which are transferred to the field later. Finger millet is commonly intercropped with sorghum, maize or legumes such as pigeon pea or cowpea. General care and maintenance The seedbed should be kept free from weeds as the plants develop to prevent competition for light and nutrients. The plants should be provided with additional irrigation during dry periods. Finger millet benefits from the addition of chemical fertilizers. In Africa, farmers fertilize using ash, while in India it is common for farmers to spread cow or sheep manure on the crop. Harvesting Finger millet is usually ready to harvest between 3.5 and 5 months after sowing depending on the variety. The crop is usually harvested by hand by cutting the seed heads or by cutting the entire plant.


CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2008). Eleusine coracana datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/20674. [Accessed 03 December 14]. Paid subscription required.