Most improvement is sought in increasing yields, resistance to lodging, even maturity and loose panicle. E. coracana is mostly self-pollinated. Distribution Considered to be of Indian or African origin, perhaps a cultigen of the wild species Eleusine indica . Typically a tropical crop, one of the best suited for dry farming, generally grown rainfed. Thrives under a medium rainfall, on porous soils that do not get waterlogged.
Ragi is very adaptable and thrives at higher elevations than most other tropical cereals.
Cultivated on soils ranging from rich loams to poor shallow upland soils. In India, grown on black cotton soils, but thrives on red lateritic loams. Ragi stands salinity better than most cereals. Cultivation Ragi may be grown as a hot weather crop, from May to September, using long duration varieties and as a cold season crop, from November and December, using early types. Ragi seed are broadcast or drilled, in rows 7.5-30 cm apart.