Ragi Farming — Finger Millet Cultivation in North Karnataka's Dry Tracts

Ragi (finger millet, Eleusine coracana) is the primary food security crop in the red soil tracts of North Karnataka (Belagavi, Dharwad, Haveri). Traditional farming knowledge specifies planting after the first "kaadu maley" (forest rains, usually 15–20 June), with seeds transplanted at 30×10 cm spacing for better root establishment. Intercropping with horsegram (hurali) in 4:1 rows replenishes soil nitrogen. Local varieties (Indaf-5, Indaf-7) are maintained by seed-saving farmers through community seed banks. Threshing is done by bullocks treading on spread stalks. Traditional "nachani ambali" (ragi porridge with buttermilk) contains 7x more calcium than rice.