Traceability of Traditional Processing Techniques and Indigenous Recipes of Ragi (Finger millet) through QR in Pratapgarh District, Uttar Pradesh

The research was conducted in a designated village within the Agricultural Extension Services (AES) of Block Kalakankar, District Pratapgarh, during the Kharif season of 2023. Despite facing challenges in accessing remote areas and gaining the trust and cooperation of local communities, the study comprehensively documents every traditional method employed in Ragi processing. The labor-intensive process, deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge and techniques, involves key steps such as nursery sowing, transplanting, harvesting, threshing, winnowing, drying, grading, and storage of Ragi seeds.

The study sheds light on the production of value-added products derived from Ragi, contributing valuable insights for agricultural development initiatives and opportunities for value addition in the millet industry. Millet cultivation, including Ragi, Bajra, and Jowar, has seen a significant increase owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a growing emphasis on health. Millets, recognized as “future crops” due to their resilience to prevalent diseases in Asia and Africa, play a crucial role in addressing food security and nutrition challenges.