Enhancing finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) productivity through organic nutrient management: A review

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is a nutritionally rich and climate-resilient crop with significant potential to improve food and nutritional security, especially in rainfed and marginal areas. With growing interest in sustainable farming, organic nutrient management (ONM) serves as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical inputs. This review explores the multifaceted benefits of finger millet from its nutritional superiority to its adaptability in low-input systems and examines the positive impacts of various organic inputs on the crop yield and economic returns. Despite these advantages, the cultivation and consumption of finger millet have declined due to shifting dietary patterns, policy preference for rice, limited market infrastructure, and lack of processing facilities. Studies across diverse agro-ecological zones have demonstrated the effectiveness of various organic nutrient management options in enhancing grain yield, quality parameters, and soil health. This paper identifies research gaps and proposes strategies to boost finger millet productivity through organic nutrient management (ONM), despite adoption challenges. Overall, ONM offers a promising pathway to enhance the productivity, sustainability, and profitability of finger millet cultivation, contributing to climate-resilient and eco-friendly agricultural systems.