Finger millet
S.N : Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.
Common name : kodo , Mandua , ragi.
- Origin : Native of Ethopia , origin believed to be Uganda and India.
- Ranking : It is 4th important food crop of Nepal in terms of cultivated area and total production.
- It can be grown upto 2200 masl in Nepal.
- 10% of total crop area , 5% of total crop production.
- Hilly region covers 94% of total area and 95% of total production. So , it is a staple food in hilly region of Nepal.
- It is considered as a minor cereal .
Importance :
- It is considered as grain of poverty or Men’s diet.
- Staple food crop in hilly region of Nepal.
- Nutrient composition : Carbohydrate – 76.3% , protein 9.2% , fat -8.3% , Minerals -22% , calcium , phosphorous , iron , vitamin A and B.
- Contain higher amount of carbohydrates.
- Due to high amount of mineral like Ca and iron , it is better for children and pregnant women.
- About 70-80% of total population use it for beverage like jand , rakshi and chhang in Nepal.
- Food products like flour is used for preparing bread , rotee and dhindo.