Wonders of Ragi

The tiny deep red pearls called Ragi is an annual cereal plant which is botanically
known as Eleusine coracana. It is commonly known as Finger millet in English,
Kelvaragu in Tamil, Nachani in Marathi etc. Some Indian varieties of ragi are
Kempu ragi, Ragalli shivalli, Pichakaddi etc.

It is widely grown in the arid regions of Asia and Africa. This monocot plant is
usually intercropped with legumes like peanuts, cow peas etc. The best character
of this monocot plant is that it is not bound by season and can be grown
throughout the year. This crop is one among the hardiest crops which can
withstand severe drought conditions and can also grow well under scanty rainfall
condition. However with good irrigation facilities the yield of ragi matches with
crops like rice. Ragi seeds remain free of pests and insects for a long duration
extending up to 50 years hence serving as a food reserve in case of tough
situations like famine.

Image showing ragi seeds

Nutritional significance of Ragi plant

• As it is a rich source of dietary calcium (344mg/100g) ragi acts as a good

supplement for those people who suffer from milk allergies.
• Women who are in their postmenopausal age are advised to consume
ragi as dietary calcium provided by it checks osteoporosis.
 • When a child completes 6 months of age ragi is suggested as a best
weaning food. Ragi is rich in iron content (3.9mg/100g). In comparison to
milk the amount of iron and calcium are higher in ragi.
• It is a rich source of essential amino acid – methonine (194mg/g of
protein). This amino acid is lacking from the diet of enormous number of
poor people who sustain only on starchy meals consisting of polished rice,
cassava, plantain etc.
• Apart from methonine, ragi is also rich in other essential amino acids like
Valine (413mg/g of protein), Isoleucine (275mg/g of protein), Threonine
(263mg/g of protein), and Tryptophan (191mg/g of protein).
• Ragi is a coarse grain which is rich in fiber (3.6g/100g). It has low
Glycemic index. This makes ragi a boon for people suffering from diabetes
and obesity. It takes a longer time to get digested and hence keeps a
check on the blood sugar levels and gives a feeling of fullness in the
stomach.
• As it is fiber rich it acts as a good laxative and prevents constipation.
• Fat content of ragi is very less (1.3 g/100g) in comparison to rice (2.7g),
wheat (2g) and maize (4.6g). This makes it a best alternative for those
people who want to loose weight.
• Ragi is rich in antioxidants and all its varieties are gluten-free serving as a
best alternative for people suffering from wheat allergy.
• The plant remnants obtained from this plant serve as a nutritious fodder
for animals.
• When the seeds are soaked in water overnight and tied in a cloth the
seeds start sprouting. This process is associated with amazing increase in
nutrients. There is a considerable increase in proteins, vitamins and
minerals due to sprouting.
• Ragi intake is not advisable only in cases of patients suffering from urinary
calculi as it is rich in oxalic acids.

Medicinal uses of ragi plant

• Ragi acts as a wholesome diet for diabetic and obese people.

• As mentioned above it is rich in calcium and protein and hence serves as
a cheaper alternative for milk.
• The leaves of ragi plant are known for their diaphoretic, diuretic, and
vermifuge properties.
• The juice of the leaves of this plant promotes child birth in women.
• The local people use ragi as a folk medicine for diseases like leprosy and
liver disease.

Some mouth watering varieties of ragi dishes

 • A very simple dish using ragi is ragi java or porridge. To prepare this ragi
flour is boiled and taken along with milk or buttermilk. This serves as a
best weaning food for a baby 6 months old.
• Apart from this ragi mudde is a very common dish liked by people from
Karnataka.
• Ragi dosas, ragi idlis and ragi rotis are also liked by people.
• To make the dishes longstanding we can prepare even ragi biscuits.

Decline in the usage of ragi

Ragi used to be a staple diet for a wide community in India. The people of
Karnataka still consume ragi in the form of ragi mudde regularly in their diet.
However with the onset of green revolution the focus of government shifted
towards crops like rice and wheat. People started to shift from a ragi based diet
to other cereals which decreased the usage of ragi gradually. However research
has proved that ragi is much more nutritious than cereals like rice, sorghum,
wheat and is available at a cheaper price. Ragi can be used to handle harsh
situations like famine and large number of poor people suffering from
malnutrition. Ragi can provide ample amount of calcium and protein to those
people who cannot afford milk.

With so many delicious dishes made up ragi around and being aware of the
nutritional and medicinal significance of ragi should we not take a decision to
increase the cultivation and usage of the outstanding grain – Ragi.

References

Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962. The medicinal and poisonous plants of

southern and eastern Africa: Being an account of their medicinal and other uses,
chemical composition, pharmacological effects and toxicology in man and animal

Image reference - http://www.esuppliersindia.com/niladri-exports/red-ragi-seed-

pr362572-sCATALOG-swf.html

Article summary – This article highlights the nutritional and medicinal significance
of Ragi grains. Even though ragi is cheap and rich in nutritional content its usage
has declined in our community. Ragi can be included in our regular diet as it can
used to prepare a variety of dishes.