Harvesting :
Maturity indices of crop can be expressed by
a) days after phenological stages .
- Finger millet is ready to harvest in about 125-195 DAS depending upon the agro-ecological zones and variety.
- About 40 days after flowering.
b) Moisture content of seed around 20 %.
c) Physical method : hard and brittle seed.
d) Visual method : Color of ear head turns brown , should not be delayed to have all the leaves turn brown or yellow.
Harvesting method :
- Harvesting is done by two methods.
- Harvesting is done manually by sickle in Nepal.
- Few farmers harvest millet at the base of stem.
- Stem is harvested later and used as fodder for the cattle.
Post harvest operations :
- harvested ear head are kept on heap for 3-5 days for curing.
- Cured ear head are dried for 2-3 days to reduce the moisture content to about 12 % for ease in threshing.
- Threshed product are cleaned by winnowing manually or use of winnowing machines.
- Dried ear head are threshed manually beating the ear head by stick.
- Dry seed are packed in dry, clean and air tight containers and bins.