Abstract

Finger millet is an important security crop but it is not popular in Nigeria. Although it is one of the most nutritious among all the major cereals and also a major staple food for millions of people, the crop has received less attention in Nigeria. The few farmers that accepted the crop in the country identified some problems associated with the production of finger millet –viz: striga problem, difficulties in differentiating between weeds and finger millet at early stage of growth, high labour requirement to crown it all the problem of blast no access to improved varieties or cultivars. It is therefore important to make the farmers aware first of the crop, its importance then source for improved cultivars agronomic interventions for finger millet inter crop it with ginger. Therefore, researchers need to look at the cropping system approach rather than on one single crop. Furthermore, development of proper value chains, regulated markets, establishment of production cooperatives, and various value addition initiatives should receive support so that demand can drive the cultivation.