Integrated Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Activities in the SADC/ICRISAT Sorghum and Millet Improvement Program - An update.

Introduction

The SADC/ICRISAT SMIP is a SADC regional program that has been funded by the USAID, BMZ/GTZ and the Canadian CIDA, and is being implemented by ICRISAT. The program began in 1984, and initially focused on crop improvement for sorghum and millets. While the program has been very successful in the development of improved varieties (over 50 improved varieties of sorghum and/or pearl millet have been released by national programs participating in SMIP during the life of the program), the research focus has been changing over time. The fourth and final phase of SMIP began in 1998 and continues to September 2003. The work being done by ICRISAT and SMIP in increasing productivity is the subject of this report.

Follow this link to read the earlier version for the background information about the program.

Program Update

In Zimbabwe, The FPR program initiated in 1999/00 was continued in 2000/01. The purpose was to obtain a more through evaluation of the options, and compare responses across years. In addition, the second year of testing included evaluation of residual effects of different manure management treatments, and different levels of manure application. Effects of rotation treatments are also being measured.

The 2000/01 season was quite different from the preceding season. In Gwanda South, there was almost no rain in November and December. In January, there were a limited number of rainfall events, but it was not until February that the drought really ended. Since then, rainfall has been quite regular. As a consequence, crops were planted late (January, instead of November/December). However, most of the RM and FM trials were planted, and have survived. Harvest is expected to take place in late April, and in May.

In Tsholotsho, rainfall at the start of the season was reasonably good, and most of the trials were planted in December. However, there was a severe drought in January. Much of the maize in the area died. In the experiments, most of the crops survived, but yield potential was reduced. Results of the second year, and a combined analysis across years, will be completed in August 2001.

In October of 2000, a "Farmer Field School" (FFS) program was initiated, with support from extension personnel and other partner institutions (financial support has been provided by the Rockefeller Foundation). Three FFS groups were formed in Tsholotsho, 2 in Gwanda South, and two were started in a third target area (Zvishavane). Groups are composed of 15 to 30 farmers each, the majority of whom are women. The objective of the Farmer Field Schools is to provide farmers with an understanding of the basic principles of integrated soil water and nutrient management. Other relevant technology options are also presented and discussed. Participating farmers have been encouraged to experiment with the management of their available resources, based on an understanding of underlying principles. A greater understanding of the principles of integrated soil water and nutrient management is expected to enhance farmers' ability to make rational management decisions in response to changes in their biophysical and socio-economic environment, and to make them less dependent on receiving specific technical recommendations from external sources. In the same target areas, collaborative efforts with NGOs and the private sector have been initiated, to simultaneously improve farmers' access to input and output markets. The combined program of Farmer Field Schools and improved input and output markets is the initial phase of a pilot program to facilitate adoption of improved management practices.

To date, implementation of the FFS program has gone well, and it is particularly popular with farmers. However, the current system is also fairly expensive (per farmer reached), particularly in regards to the training of FFS Facilitators (extension officers). At a recent workshop, partners in the program met to discuss methods for reducing costs, increasing the number of FFSs and the number of beneficiaries, and improving the sustainability of the FFS approach. Some innovative ideas were developed, and these will be tested in the coming season.

Plans for linking the FFSs with improved input supply and output-marketing channels are being developed with NGO partners and the private sector. It is expected that these programs will be operational at the field level from October 2001.

In Tanzania, the on-farm FPR program initiated in the 1999/00 season was continued in 2000/01. Rainfall has been good in Bugiri village this year. Both sorghum and pigeonpea crops are doing well, and it is apparent that the intercropping system is practical and popular with farmers.

In Mtitaa village in Dodoma District, the rainfall has been extremely limited to date, and sorghum plants have died in a number of trials. However, again, the pigeonpea varieties are surviving well, and are likely to produce a crop. A ratoon pigeonpea crop, planted as an intercropping trial in the 1999/00 season is doing extremely well in Mtitaa. It appears that a ratoon pigeonpea crop in these dry areas has a lot of potential as a food security crop. Establishment is not a problem, and the crop appears to be able flourish on a minimal amount of rainfall. It may also hold promise for households that are labor constrained, or for households where one or more family members are afflicted with HIV/AIDS. A ratoon crop does not require land preparation or planting, and needs only a minimal amount of weeding. Thus a good yield (of a good cash crop) can be obtained for relatively little labor. Preliminary evaluation suggests that a household could have as much as one quarter to one third of their land under a ratoon crop of pigeonpea in any given season.

In Same District, the early rains (November-December) failed again this year, and the long rains (February-May) were delayed. Thus planting only started in February-March. However, the trials program is being implemented.

Preliminary identification of partners for the "scaling-up" process has been initiated, and three large NGOs have expressed interest in taking the sorghum/pigeonpea intercropping system to their participating farmers. Discussions to solicit assistance from a fourth NGO, experienced with setting up pigeonpea markets, are also taking place. The national research program is multiplying seed of the new pigeonpea varieties, in preparation for their official "release" later this year. It is anticipated that seed multiplication and distribution in future will be done through the new seed systems that have been developed for sorghum and pearl millet seed production in Tanzania. Pilot adoption programs will be initiated in Dodoma and Same Districts in the 2001/02 season.

For more information please contact:

Dr. G. M. Heinrich
Senior Scientist (Technology Transfer),
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.