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Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
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Finger Millet (Ragi)KharifFinger millet varietyUpdated 28 August 2026

Indaf 9

One of the Indaf ("Indo-African") finger-millet varieties from UAS Bengaluru that first lifted ragi yields in the 1970s–80s; still grown and valued as a benchmark improved type.

SeasonKharif
Maturity periodAbout 115–125 days
Expected yieldAround 25–35 q/ha; one of the older high-yielding improved types
Suitable soilRed loam and lateritic soils

Quick facts

Crop
Finger Millet (Ragi)
Type
Finger millet variety
Season
Kharif
Maturity period
About 115–125 days
Seed rate
About 5 kg/ha for the nursery of a transplanted crop; 8–10 kg/ha for line sowing
Expected yield
Around 25–35 q/ha; one of the older high-yielding improved types
Suitable soil
Red loam and lateritic soils
Release
Developed at UAS Bengaluru from Indian × African finger-millet crosses (Indaf series)

About this variety

Indaf 9 is one of the Indaf series of finger-millet varieties developed at UAS Bengaluru by crossing Indian and African finger millet types — the crosses that first substantially raised ragi yields in southern India from the 1970s onward. Indaf 9 is a medium-to-late variety still grown and often cited as a standard improved type, with a compact ear and good grain yield.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeFinger millet variety
    MaturityAbout 115–125 days
    Yield potentialAround 25–35 q/ha; one of the older high-yielding improved types
    Disease resistanceModerate blast resistance
    SoilRed loam and lateritic soils
    SeasonKharif

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeNursery mid-June to mid-July; line-sown mid-June to July
  • Seed rateAbout 5 kg/ha for the nursery of a transplanted crop; 8–10 kg/ha for line sowing
  • Spacing22.5–30 cm between rows, about 10 cm within the row
  • Sowing methodTransplanting for highest yield, or line sowing with a drill
  • IrrigationMainly rainfed; protective irrigation at panicle initiation and grain filling where water is available
  • Fertilizer50:40:25 kg N:P2O5:K2O per hectare with farmyard manure for a rainfed crop; nitrogen split
  • HarvestingAbout 115–125 days to maturity; harvest ear-heads at brown, hard grain, dry and thresh

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Red loam and lateritic soils of the southern ragi belt
pH
5.0–8.0

Climate

Climate
A rainfed southern-plateau type; standard blast precautions apply in a humid flowering season

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

About 115–125 days

Expected yield

Around 25–35 q/ha; one of the older high-yielding improved types

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Management notes

  • Standard blast precautions — treated seed, moderate nitrogen, a fungicide at boot-to-ear in humid weather
  • Newer GPU-series varieties may now be preferred where blast pressure is high

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • A historically important improved variety that raised southern ragi yields
  • Compact ear and good grain yield
  • Still familiar and available through state seed channels

Things to consider

  • An older variety — newer GPU-series lines generally have better blast resistance and yield
  • Medium-to-late duration; not the best fit for a short monsoon

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Karnataka
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Tamil Nadu

Frequently asked questions

What does "Indaf" mean?

Indaf stands for "Indian–African" — the Indaf finger-millet varieties from UAS Bengaluru were bred by crossing Indian finger millet with African types, and these crosses first substantially raised ragi yields in southern India from the 1970s.

Is Indaf 9 still worth growing?

It is a dependable improved variety and still available, but the newer GPU-series varieties from UAS Bengaluru generally offer better blast resistance and yield. Check the current recommendation for your district.

Sourced from: ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research — finger millet varieties, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. editorial policy.