Question

Which state of India is the leading producer of ragi?
(A) Karnataka
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Uttarakhand
(D) Maharashtra

Answer 1

Hint: The state is located in the south western region of India. It is the largest state in South India and seventh largest in India. It has three principal geographical zones Karavali, Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau.

Complete Step by Step AnswerThe state of India which is the leading producer of ragi, is Karnataka. Ragi, also known as finger millet is gluten free and a staple in South India. It is mainly grown in Eastern and Southern African countries like Uganda, Kenya, etc., and also in Southern Asia, mainly in India and Nepal. It is grown rainfed and can be cultivated on higher elevations. It is generally considered as a drought-tolerant crop and its heat tolerance is also high.

So, the correct answer is an option (A). Karnataka is the leading producer of ragi in India.

Additional Information In southern India, it is used in many beverages, South Indian dishes like idli, dosa and also for making cakes and puddings. Ragi rotti is a type of flatbread very common in Karnataka and has other names like keppai, kezhvaragu and ariyam. It is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

Note It is a short-day plant and requires optimum 12 hours of daylight for almost all of its varieties. There are many intercropping systems followed for this crop such as with legumes, cereals and other species of this crop. Generally, this crop is not very prone to diseases and pests. The propagation of ragi is done mainly by seeds and in rainfed cropping, the sowing methods used are broadcasting, line sowing, drilling in rows and transplanting the seedlings. Its harvest is taken up into two stages as this crop doesn’t mature uniformly. It can be ground into a flour that is used to make cakes and puddings. In India, it is consumed with milk, boiled water or yogurt.