Sorghum in Africa
Sorghum yields in Eastern and Southern Africa are affected by both biotic and abiotic
constraints. Improved crop management and new varieties with increased resistance
to pests and diseases can significantly increase crop yields.
Interventions
ESA
- Fourteen high-yielding varieties of sorghum were released in Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania,Kenya and Zimbabwe.
- Community seed production units started in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Mechanized threshing made available to farmers.
- 26 lines were identified with desirable malting qualities; 10 varieties found suitable tested for feed quality.
- Improved agronomic packages identified, validated and promoted.
- Training imparted in Good Agricultural Practices,value addition, market enterprise practices and seed production.
- Trained farmers and extension staff in value addition and market enterprise practices.
- Trained farmers, extension staff and small seed dealers in seed production.
WCA
- Six hybrids released in Mali (2016) show 35% higher yield than local varieties
- Early-maturing, high micronutrient varieties SAMSORG 45 (12KNICSV-188) and SAMSORG 46(12KNICSV-22) with potential grain yields of 4.2 t/ha and 3.5 t/ha respectively released in Nigeria (2016)
- Four multi-purpose sweet sorghum varieties were developed in Mali: 2.5 t/ha grain; 15 t/ha biomass.
Impacts
- Fish farmers in Makueni County, Kenya,substitute maize with sorghum in fish feed.
- Yield grows to 4.4 t/ha in Ethiopia (nationalaverage: 2.1 t/ha).
- Sorghum from 8,000 farmers in Kenya used by malting industry, giving 40% higher rate for sorghum than before.
- Tanzanian farmers achieve 55% higher yields.
- Training in diversified recipes increase sorghum utilization at the household level.
