Finger millet Water Requirement Calculator
Work out the seasonal and per-irrigation water requirement of finger millet (ragi) (FAO-56 ETc = ET₀ × Kc, peak Kc 1) for your field, climate, soil and irrigation method.
Ragi tolerates drought well; transplanted irrigated ragi benefits from waterings at tillering and grain-fill. Direct-sown rainfed ragi often needs none. Avoid waterlogging.
Indicative planning figures based on published research averages. Local soil tests, varieties and weather change actual requirements — confirm with your agronomist or extension officer.
Disclaimer: This tool is for general informational and estimation purposes only and is not professional financial, tax, accounting or legal advice. All figures are estimates — verify with a qualified professional before making decisions. Read the full disclaimer.
Farmers and irrigation planners use the free Finger millet Water Requirement Calculator to turn the FAO-56 crop coefficients for finger millet (ragi) into a real seasonal water volume and an irrigation interval for their own field — no agronomy tables, works offline.
About Finger millet Water Requirement Calculator
Ragi is a hardy millet needing only 350–500 mm, finishing on few irrigations or pure rainfall. This calculator uses the FAO-56 method — crop evapotranspiration ETc = ET₀ × Kc — with finger millet (ragi)'s own crop coefficients (Kc 0.35 initial, 1 mid-season, 0.4 late) across a 100-day season. Pick your climate band (which sets reference ET₀), irrigation method (drip, sprinkler, pivot or surface — each with its own efficiency) and soil texture, and it returns the seasonal water need in cubic metres, the peak daily demand, the net depth per irrigation and how many days to wait between irrigations.
How to use Finger millet Water Requirement Calculator
- 1Enter your field area and choose the climate band matching your season.
- 2Select your irrigation method and soil texture.
- 3Read the seasonal water volume, peak daily demand and irrigation interval, then follow the scheduling note.
Why use Finger millet Water Requirement Calculator?
- ✓Uses finger millet (ragi)'s real FAO-56 Kc curve, not a flat factor
- ✓Accounts for drip / sprinkler / pivot / surface efficiency
- ✓Gives seasonal volume, peak daily need and an irrigation interval
- ✓Free, instant and fully in-browser — works offline in the field
Frequently asked questions
How much water does finger millet (ragi) need?+
Ragi is a hardy millet needing only 350–500 mm, finishing on few irrigations or pure rainfall. The exact figure depends on climate and season length; this tool sums ET₀ × Kc across the crop's 100-day growth stages for your conditions.
How much water does ragi need?+
Only 350–500 mm — finger millet is a hardy, water-efficient cereal grown on marginal land. Transplanted irrigated ragi yields more with a few timely irrigations.
When should irrigated ragi be watered?+
At tillering and grain-filling for the response. Rainfed direct-sown ragi commonly finishes on rainfall alone, which is why it anchors dryland farming systems.
What is ET₀ and Kc?+
ET₀ (reference evapotranspiration) is how fast a standard grass surface loses water in your climate. Kc (crop coefficient) scales it to a specific crop and growth stage. Crop water use ETc = ET₀ × Kc — the basis of FAO-56 irrigation scheduling.
Is this calculator free and private?+
Yes — free, no sign-up, and all calculation runs in your browser, so it works offline in the field and your data never leaves the device.
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