Crops Diversification
Project Leader: Dov Pasternak, ICRISAT, Niamey, Niger
Justification
The range of both rainfed and irrigated crop species and varieties in the Sahelian zone is very limited. The massive introduction of new crops and varieties to this region should result in big economic and environmental gains.
Objectives
- To introduce and test a very wide range of annual and perennial crops for both the rain-fed and the irrigated production systems of the Sudano-Sahel.
- To disseminate these crops and varieties in the region
Expected outputs
Mass introduction of new germplasm to the Sudano Sahel leading to increased income, income diversification and economic and environmental sustainability
Activities
- Research leading to selection of a wide range of species and varieties of both annual and
perennial crops. Current research:
- Selection of varieties (5) and rootstocks (3) of Pomme du Sahel for both rain-fed and irrigated production
- Selection of superior figs varieties
- Selection of adapted grape varieties and rootstock
- Selection of quality pomegranate, orange, pomelo and other citrus varieties
- Selection of mango varieties
- Selection of dual purpose cowpea varieties
- Selection of forage millet varieties
- Selection of rain-fed watermelons
- Selection of non bolting lettuce varieties
- Improvement of the Violet de Galmi onion variety
- Selection of long shelf life, disease and pest tolerant tomato varieties
- Selection of superior hot pepper cultivars
- Selection of superior sweet pepper varieties etc.
Activities leading to the dissemination of the introduced germplasm
- Regional courses on plant propagation
- Regional courses on vegetable seeds propagation and multiplication
- Trees multiplication in a regional nursery (target for 2005-200,000 plants)
- Production of foundation seeds of selected open pollinated vegetable varieties
Partners
Regional NARs, major farmers associations, a wide range of international and local NGOs
