Review Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review

Received: 15 April 2024     Accepted: 16 May 2024     Published: 11 September 2024
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Similar to other cereal crops finger millet is being produced in a large volume in Ethiopia, as they are the principal staple food crop. Finger millet is considered as underutilized cereal crop which is commonly grown in the northern, west-northern, and western parts of the country and it is considered as a crop which is important to overcome malnutrition. Regions including Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) and Gambela are considered as the potential regions for the production of finger millet in Ethiopia. Relatively, it is considered as drought tolerant as compared to other major cereals such as rice, wheat, and barley. In addition to this finger millet is considered as a highly resilient crop which can grow in different weather conditions, including drought, floods, and marginal soils. In Ethiopia it is commonly grown for the preparation of local foods like ‘injera’ and porridge and local drink such as ‘areki’ or ‘tella’. About 26 varieties of finger millet are cultivated in main season in the country. In Ethiopia, there are a limited source of cereal crop seeds which includes, farmer’s own saved seeds and government seed distributing companies. In this review the status of production, seed source and nutritional importance of finger millet in Ethiopia is presented.

Published in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11
Page(s) 132-137
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Finger Millet, Seed, Nutrition, Production Status

1. Introduction
Finger millet ((Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is one of the most important cereal crops in the semi-arid and tropical regions of the world. It was a domestic crop in western Uganda and the Ethiopian highlands at least 5000 years ago before introduction to India. Its name is derived from the appearance of spikes which appear like human fingers . In the semi-arid tropical and subtropical regions of the world, it is considered the third most produced millet after pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica) .
After teff, wheat, maize, sorghum, and barley, finger millet is considered as the six major important cereal crops in Ethiopia Area coverage and production of finger miller is estimated at 4.5 million hectares and 5 million tons respectively worldwide. Ethiopia is considered as the largest producer of finger millet next to India In Ethiopia, finger millet covers about 480,343.25 hectares (table 1) with a national productivity of 2.5 tons/ha
Products derived from finger millet can be utilized in bone mass development in growing children as well as for preventing osteoporosis and other bone ailments in adults and the aging population. Thus, all the nutritional significance of finger millet must be properly translated to nutraceutical development and applied to other staple crops for their possible enrichment . Finger millet is considered an underutilized cereal crop in Ethiopia and is commonly grown in the northern, west-northern, and western parts of the country in the main growing season . It is commonly used for the preparation of local foods like injera and porridge and malting to prepare local drinks such as ‘Areki’, or ‘tella’ and non-alcoholic drinks such as ‘karibu’ and ‘shamita’ . It covers about 5% of the area allocated for cereal production in the country . However, despite its potential, finger millet production in Ethiopia faces several challenges that hinder its full potential. This paper aims to review the current status of finger millet production in Ethiopia, its importance, highlight the challenges faced, and identify opportunities and future direction for the crop in the country.
2. Current Status of Finger Millet Production in Ethiopia
A study conducted by had reported that finger millet is one of the oldest domesticated cereal crops in Ethiopia, which was cultivated during 4000 BC. Finger millet is commonly grown in Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) and Gambela regional states of the country According to the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia, finger millet is the third most important cereal crop in the country, after teff and wheat, with an estimated annual production of 1.2 million tons in 2020/2021 (Table 1).
Table 1. Finger millet area coverage and production in Ethiopia from 2012-2021.

S.no

year

Crop

Area coverage (hq)

Yield (qt)

Yield (qt / ha)

1

2012

Finger millet

432,561.00

6,518,509.00

15.07

2

2013

Finger millet

431,506.89

7,422,971.46

17.20

3

2014

Finger millet

454,662.33

8,489,564.26

18.67

4

2015

Finger millet

453,909.38

9,153,145.18

20.17

5

2016

Finger millet

465,508.27

9,402,463.39

20.20

6

2017

Finger millet

456,057

10,308,231

10.40

7

2018

Finger millet

446,909

10,356,295

23.17

8

2019

Finger millet

446,909

10,356,295

23.17

9

2020

Finger milet

455,580.47

11,259,578.67

24.71

10

2021

Finger millet

480,343.25

12,030,164.02

25.04

Source;
3. Types of Millet and Their Cultivation
In the developing world, especially in the dry lands of Africa and Asia, millets are considered as a staple food crop. Most of them are indigenous to Africa and latter domesticated to other parts of the world . About 14 species of millets are being cultivated in the world including pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.), foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L. subsp. miliaceum), kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.), barnyard millet (Echinocloa esculenta A. and Echinocloa colona L.), and little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex Roem. & Schuit) . In Africa and Asia finger millet is cultivated in more than 25 countries. In its production Ethiopia is considered as the largest producer next to India . Finger millet is relatively drought tolerant as compared to other major cereals such as rice, wheat, and barley. It is an important cereal crop in the semi-arid and tropical regions of the world . During 3000 B. C the wild type finger millet was discovered in Axum, Ethiopia . The cultivated type of this millet E. coracana subsp.coracana is domesticated some 5,000 years ago from the wild E. coracana subsp. Africana in the highland areas, then it was gradually distributed from Ethiopia to Uganda .
4. Importance of Finger Millet
Finger millet is an important crop globally due to its nutritional value and resilience to different environmental conditions. It is a rich source of essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, and fiber, making it a highly nutritious food option . Additionally, finger millet is gluten-free, making it a suitable alternative for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance . Also, it has a low glycemic index, making it a suitable food for people with diabetes . These nutritional benefits have made finger millet a popular choice among health-conscious individuals and those looking for alternative sources of nutrition.
Furthermore, finger millet is a highly resilient crop that can grow in a variety of weather conditions, including drought, floods, and marginal soils . This makes it a crucial crop in areas where other crops may fail due to adverse weather conditions. In countries like Africa, where a large population relies on rain-fed agriculture, finger millet is a lifeline during times of food scarcity. Its ability to grow in harsh conditions makes it an important crop for food security and poverty alleviation.
Moreover, finger millet has played a vital role in addressing malnutrition in Ethiopia. The country has been facing high rates of malnutrition, especially among children, due to limited access to nutritious food. Finger millet's high nutritional value and affordability make it an important food for combating malnutrition. In addition, the grain is often used in the production of supplementary foods for malnourished children, providing them with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development .
Finger millet is primarily used as a food crop in Ethiopia. It is commonly consumed in the form of porridge, bread, and fermented drinks . In addition to its use as a food crop, finger millet has other important uses in Ethiopia. The straw from the crop is used as animal feed, and the crop residue is used as a source of organic matter for soil fertility improvement. ; . It is grown extensively in various region of Africa and India as a staple food. In India it ranks six in production after wheat, rice, maize, sorghum and bajra .
Finger millet is generally used in the form of whole meal which is used for the preparation of traditional foods like, roti (unleavened bread), mudde (dumpling) and ambali (thin porridge). In Ethiopia, finger millet is commonly grown in the northern, northwestern and western parts of the country in the main rainy season . It is commonly used for the preparation of unleavened bread (locally named as enjera) and for malting to prepare drinks such as areke, tella and non-alcoholic drinks such as karibu and shameta while the straw is used for livestock feed . Additionally, it is considered as a food security crop which is especially important for its high nutritive and culture value .
5. Nutritional Impact of Finger Millet
Different researches had shown that finger millet has a various health benefit such as reducing diabetes, anemia, and malaria . This health value is due to its high calcium, iron, dietary fiber and being gluten free. The nutritional value (in aspect of proteins, carbohydrates and energy values) of millets are comparable to common cereals such as rice, wheat and barley (table 2). finger millet contains about 7-14% protein , 65-75 % carbohydrates and 2.5 - 3.5 % fiber. As it is compared with other cereals millet has the highest (344 mg/100g) mineral content , particularly it is a reach source of calcium, phosphorus and iron . Finger millet is a reasonably good source of calcium with up to 350 mg/100 g of Calcium present in the seeds, which is 5–10 times higher than other cereals . In comparison, cow’s milk, which is a common source of Calcium for many people, contains an average 112 mg Calcium/100 g milk . Unlike milk, however, the absence of lactose sugar makes it an easily digestible alternate source nutrient for lactose-sensitive patients and weaning babies. Millets contain many different nutrients, and chemicals which are useful for our health when consumed as a part of the diet. Millets are a hidden source of health-promoting phytochemicals, and antioxidants as nutraceuticals as well as a functional food .
Table 2. Nutritional composition of finger millets and some common cereals.

Cereals

Protein (%)

Fat (%)

Crude fiber (%)

Ash (%)

Carbohydrate (%)

Wheat

13{1}

1.8{1}

2.6{1}

0.5 to 1.5 {1}

64{1}

Rice

7.3{2}

2.2{2}

0.6 to 1{2}

1.4{2}

64{2}

Finger millet

7{3}

1.3{3}

3.6{3}

3{3}

65{3}

Teff

8 to 11{2}

2.5{2}

4.5{2}

2.8{2}

73{2}

Maize

8 to 11{2}

4.9{2}

2.6{2}

1.4{2}

72{2}

Note; NA= data not available. References: {1}, {3}, & {2}.
6. Seed Source of Finger Millet
The availability of quality seeds is crucial for the success of any crop production. In Ethiopia, there are few sources of finger millet seeds, including farmers' saved seeds, and government seed distribution program. However, the quality and quantity of finger millet seeds available from these sources are often inadequate to meet the growing demand for the crop thus, there is a significant dependency on the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural research centers and from farmer-to-farmer seed exchange . Farmers saved seeds are poor in germination and not free from seed-borne diseases which leads to low yield . There are about 21 released varieties of finger millet in Ethiopia (Table 3).
Table 3. Lists of released varieties of finger millet in Ethiopia.

No.

Variety

Year of release

1

Metekili

2020

2

Kumsa

2019

3

Jabi

2019

4

Tekeze-1

2018

5

Diga-2

2018

6

Bako-09

2017

7

meba

2016

8

axum

2016

9

Diga-1

2016

10

Urji

2016

11

Mereb-1

2016

12

Kako-1

2015

13

Addis-01

2015

14

Tessema

2014

15

Gudetu

2014

16

Mecha

2014

17

Necho

2011

18

Debatsi

2010

19

Bareda

2009

20

Gute

2009

21

Wama

2007

22

Baruda

2007

23

Degu

2005

24

Boneya

2005

25

Padet

1998/99

26

Tadesse

1998/99

From those released varieties only five of them are in production . The possible reason for this problem is the lack of farmer's involvement in previous breeding programs. The study conducted by reported that the majority of farmers from northern Ethiopia use self-saved seeds or seeds from the local market. Similarly, reported that in Kenya, the seed source of finger millet was a self-saved seed. To address this issue, the Ethiopian government has been promoting the use of improved finger millet varieties through the National Seed Strategy and Law. The government has also established community-based seed production systems to increase the availability of quality seeds to smallholder farmers. Furthermore, research institutions are conducting research and development activities to develop new and improved finger millet varieties with higher yield potential, disease resistance, and nutritional value.
7. Challenges and Opportunities on Finger Millet Production in Ethiopia
Despite its importance, the production of finger millet in Ethiopia faces several challenges that hinder its potential. One of the major challenge is the low adoption of improved technologies, lack of access to fertilizers and declining soil fertility. Most farmers still rely on local varieties and farming practices, which result in low yields and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Additionally, the lack of access to credit and markets also poses a challenge to small-scale farmers, limiting their ability to invest in inputs and improve their production . In spite of the challenges, there are several opportunities for finger millet production in Ethiopia. One of the main opportunities is the increasing demand for finger millet both locally and internationally. With the growing interest in healthy and nutritious foods, finger millet has gained popularity due to its high nutritional value, including its rich content of iron and calcium. This presents an opportunity for farmers to tap into the market and increase their income.
On the other hand, Limited access to agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and improved seeds is related to limited financial resources and has been widely reported in Africa and, particularly, Ethiopia .
8. Conclusion
Finger millet is an important crop in Ethiopia, as a staple food crop. The crop has high nutritional value and is adaptable to diverse agroecologies, which makes it an essential food security crop for smallholder farmers. However, the availability of quality seeds remains a major challenge, and more efforts are needed to increase the production and distribution of improved finger millet seeds to meet the growing demand. The government, research institutions, and other stakeholders must continue to work together to promote the production and use of finger millet in Ethiopia and this will not only increase the productivity and profitability of finger millet production but also contribute to food security and the economic development of the country.
Abbreviations

CSA

Central Statistical Authority

Acknowledgments
The authors are tank full to wondogenet agricultural research center, for providing all the required facilities for reviewing this topic.
Author Contributions
Bethlehem Melese: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing
Werotaw Sisay: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing
Hailu Garkebo: Visualization, Writing – review & editing
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
[1] Adane G., Mark D., Hussein S., & Isack M., (2021). Finger millet production in Ethiopia: opportunities, problem diagnosis, key challenges and recommendation for breeding. Sustainability, 13, 13463.
[2] Admassu S., Teamir M. and Alemu D., (2009). Chemical composition of local and improved finger Millet [Eleusine Corocana (L.) Gaetrtin] varieties grown in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 19(1).
[3] Amare S., Zigale S., Amare N., & Adane G., (2020). AMMI and GGE Analysis of GxE and Yield Stability of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn] Genotypes in Ethiopia. International Journal of Trend in Research and Development, Volume 6(2), ISSN: 2394-9333.
[4] Andualem W., Tadesse D. and Ketema B., (2013). Heritability, variance components and genetic advance of some yield and yield related traits in Ethiopian collections of finger millet (Eleusinecoracana (L.) Gaertn.) genotypes. African Journal of Biotechnology: 12(36), pp. 5529-5534:
[5] Anju T. and Sarita S., (2010). Suitability of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) for development of low glycemic index biscuits.
[6] Assefa A., Fetene M., Tesfaye K., (2013). Agro-Morphological, Physiological and Yield Related Performances of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] Accessions Evaluated for Drought Resistance under Field Condition. Asian J. Agric. Rural Dev., 3, 709–720.
[7] Assefa A., Amare D., Tilahun D., Andargie D., Belay D., Asarigew F., Ayalew M., Wale M., Asfaw M., Altaye S. (2009). Finger Millet Production in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. In Research Report No 1. Collaborative Crop Research Program; Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
[8] CSA, (2021). Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia: Central Statistical Agency: Agricultural Sample Survey.
[9] Dhanushkodi V., Thanga H., Shenbagavalli S., Sangeetha S., Anitha R., and UmaMaheshwari T., (2023). A review on nutritional properties and health benefits of finger millet. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science Volume 35, Issue 18, Page 753-761, 2023; Article no. IJPSS. 102581 ISSN: 2320-7035.
[10] Dida MM, Wanyera N, Harrison Dunn MLN, Bennetzen JL, Devos KM. (2008). Population structure and diversity in finger millet (Eleusine coracana) germplasm. Trop Plant Biol.
[11] Dykes L, & Rooney LW (2007). Phenolic Compounds in Cereal Grains and their Health Benefits. Cereal Foods World; 52(3): 105-111.
[12] FAOSTAT, (2019). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations STAT. Available online:
[13] Fentie, M., (2012). Participatory evaluation and selection of improved finger millet varieties in north western Ethiopia. International Research Journal of Plant Science, 3(7), pp. 141-146.
[14] Gupta R. Ragi, (2014). A boon to nutritional security. Newsletter. NESA.
[15] Himanshu Chauhan, Sonawane M, Arya SS,. (2018). Nutritional and nutraceutical properties of millets: a review,. Clin. J Nutr. Diet; 1(1): 1-10.
[16] Jerop, R.; Dannenberg, P.; Owuor, G.; Mshenga, P.; Kimurto, P.; Willkomm, M.; Hartmann, G.,(2018). Factors Affecting the Adoption of Agricultural Innovations on Underutilized Cereals: The Case of Finger Millet among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya. Afr. J. Agric. Res. 13, 1888–1900. [CrossRef]
[17] Kaleab B., (2014). Teff: Nutrition composition and health benefit. International food policy research institute.
[18] Kaushal, R.; Choudhary, D. V. K., (2020). An Economic Analysis of Costs & Return of Finger Millet in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. J. Pharmacogn. Phytochem. 9, 33–36.
[19] Kumar R. C. and Anichari N. (2023). Nutritional and health benefits of Millets: A review. The Pharma Innovation Journal; 12(6): 3360-3363.
[20] Kumar A., Metwal M., Kaur S., Gupta A. K., Puranik S., Singh S., (2016). Nutraceutical value of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.], and their improvement using omics approaches. Front. Plant Sci. 7: 934.
[21] Mengistu, G.; Shimelis, H.; Laing, M.; Lule, D, (2018). Assessment of Farmers’ Perceptions of Production Constraints, and Their Trait Preferences of Sorghum in Western Ethiopia: Implications for Anthracnose Resistance Breeding. Acta Agric. Sci. and. Sect. B Soil Plant Sci., 69, 241–249.
[22] Palanisamy B., Rajendran V., & Sathyaseelan S., Nagappa G., & Venkatesan B., (2011). Health benefits of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) polyphenols and dietary fiber: a review. J Food Sci Technol (June 2014) 51(6): 1021–1040.
[23] Pawan K., R K Yadava, Babita G., Sandeep K., Ravi K., Verma, Sanjay Y., (2021). Nutritional contents and medicinal properties of wheat: a review. Life Sciences and Medicine Research, Volume 2011: LSMR-22.
[24] Rai, S., Kaur, A. and Chopra, C. S., (2018). Gluten-free products for celiac susceptible people. Frontiers in nutrition, 5, p. 116.
[25] Sanwalka N. J., Khadilkar A. V., Chiplonkar S. A. (2011). Development of non-dairy, calcium-rich vegetarian food products to improve calcium intake in vegetarian youth. Curr. Sci. 101 657–663.
[26] Semahegn Z., Teressa T. and Bejiga, T., (2021). Finger millet [Eleusinecoracana (L.) Gaertn] breeding in Ethiopia: A review article. International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences, 7(3), pp. 38-42.
[27] Singh, R. P., Qidwai, S., Singh, O., Reddy, B. R., Saharan, S., Kataria, S. K., Tiwari, H., Naresh, R. K. and Kumar, L., (2022). Millets for food and nutritional security in the context of climate resilient agriculture: A Review. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, pp. 939-953.
[28] Singh, P. and Raghuvanshi R. S., (2012). Finger millet for food and nutritional security. African Journal of Food Science, 6(4), pp. 77-84.
[29] Tesfaye K. and Mengistu S., (2017). Phenotypic characterization of Ethiopian finger millet accessions ((L.) Gaertn), for their agronomically important traits. Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Agriculture and Environment, 9(1), pp. 107-118.
[30] Vetriventhan, M.; Upadhyaya, H. D.; Dwivedi, S. L.; Pattanashetti, S. K.; Singh, S. K., (2015). Finger and Foxtail Millets. In Genetic and Genomic Resources for Grain Cereals Improvement; Singh, M., Upadhyaya, H. D., Eds.; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA,; pp. 291–319.
[31] Wijesinha-Bettoni R., Burlingame B. (2013). Milk and dairy product composition, in Milk and Dairy Products in Human Nutrition, eds Muehlhoff E., Bennett A., McMahon D. (Rome: FAO), 41–90.
[32] Zewdu A., Gemechu F. and Babu M., (2018). Pre-Scaling up of improved finger millet technologies: The case of daro lebu and habro districts of west hararghe zone, oromia national regional state, Ethiopia. In Regional Review Workshop on Completed Research Activities (p. 143).
[33] Zigale S., Temesgen T., Tamirat B., (2021). Finger Millet [Eleusinecoracana (L) Gaertn] Breeding in Ethiopia: A Review Article. International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences (IJRSAS),; 7(3), pp. 38-42,
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Melese, B., Sisay, W., Garkebo, H. (2024). Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 13(5), 132-137. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Melese, B.; Sisay, W.; Garkebo, H. Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review. Agric. For. Fish. 2024, 13(5), 132-137. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Melese B, Sisay W, Garkebo H. Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review. Agric For Fish. 2024;13(5):132-137. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11,
      author = {Bethlehem Melese and Werotaw Sisay and Hailu Garkebo},
      title = {Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review
    },
      journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
      volume = {13},
      number = {5},
      pages = {132-137},
      doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20241305.11},
      abstract = {Similar to other cereal crops finger millet is being produced in a large volume in Ethiopia, as they are the principal staple food crop. Finger millet is considered as underutilized cereal crop which is commonly grown in the northern, west-northern, and western parts of the country and it is considered as a crop which is important to overcome malnutrition. Regions including Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) and Gambela are considered as the potential regions for the production of finger millet in Ethiopia. Relatively, it is considered as drought tolerant as compared to other major cereals such as rice, wheat, and barley. In addition to this finger millet is considered as a highly resilient crop which can grow in different weather conditions, including drought, floods, and marginal soils. In Ethiopia it is commonly grown for the preparation of local foods like ‘injera’ and porridge and local drink such as ‘areki’ or ‘tella’. About 26 varieties of finger millet are cultivated in main season in the country. In Ethiopia, there are a limited source of cereal crop seeds which includes, farmer’s own saved seeds and government seed distributing companies. In this review the status of production, seed source and nutritional importance of finger millet in Ethiopia is presented. 
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review
    
    AU  - Bethlehem Melese
    AU  - Werotaw Sisay
    AU  - Hailu Garkebo
    Y1  - 2024/09/11
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11
    T2  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JF  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JO  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    SP  - 132
    EP  - 137
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5648
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241305.11
    AB  - Similar to other cereal crops finger millet is being produced in a large volume in Ethiopia, as they are the principal staple food crop. Finger millet is considered as underutilized cereal crop which is commonly grown in the northern, west-northern, and western parts of the country and it is considered as a crop which is important to overcome malnutrition. Regions including Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) and Gambela are considered as the potential regions for the production of finger millet in Ethiopia. Relatively, it is considered as drought tolerant as compared to other major cereals such as rice, wheat, and barley. In addition to this finger millet is considered as a highly resilient crop which can grow in different weather conditions, including drought, floods, and marginal soils. In Ethiopia it is commonly grown for the preparation of local foods like ‘injera’ and porridge and local drink such as ‘areki’ or ‘tella’. About 26 varieties of finger millet are cultivated in main season in the country. In Ethiopia, there are a limited source of cereal crop seeds which includes, farmer’s own saved seeds and government seed distributing companies. In this review the status of production, seed source and nutritional importance of finger millet in Ethiopia is presented. 
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information