Finger millet
Finger millet (Eleusine) grows to between 60 and 150 centimetres
high. It is grown in Zaire, in the Central African Empire, in Rwanda, in
Burundi, in Ethiopia, in Kenya, and in Tanzania.
At the top of the stem there are 5 to 10 ears; they are curved
and contain the grain.
Finger millet needs plenty of water. It is chiefly grown in
hilly regions, on high tablelands.
Finger millet grows well even on poor soil. It is often grown
together with other crops such as maize and groundnuts, or after other crops
such as cotton.
The ears are harvested by hand and put in bundles to dry. Then
they are stored in granaries. The ears store well, and are not attacked by
insects.
Finger millet is used for food; flour made from it is cooked. It
is also eaten in the form of paste. Some kinds of finger millet are used for
making
beer.