Millet and Sorghum Varieties for Better Nutrition and Stress Resistance

Strong Crops, Healthy People

The "Millet and Sorghum Varieties for Better Nutrition and Stress Resistance" technology is a range of improved millet and sorghum varieties that are a game-changer for agriculture in Africa. These varieties are highly nutritious, resilient in the face of drought, heat, and pests, and specifically bio-fortified with elevated iron and zinc levels. With an accelerated maturation process, these crops are a reliable risk management strategy for farmers facing challenging climate conditions.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive low

Women: Positive low

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Same amount of carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: Much less water used

Problem

Low Crop Yields and Food Insecurity: Millet and sorghum yields in Africa are below their potential, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition in communities that depend on these crops.
Limited Climate Resilience: The crops are susceptible to drought, heat, and pests, making them vulnerable to changing climate conditions.
Lack of Nutrient-Dense Varieties: Traditional varieties of millet and sorghum may not provide sufficient nutritional value, particularly in terms of iron and zinc content.
Inadequate Access to Improved Varieties: New, high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutrient-dense varieties are not widely available to farmers in many African regions.

Solution

Improved Varieties: The technology involves the development of new millet and sorghum varieties that are high-yielding, bio-fortified (rich in iron and zinc), and resilient to drought, heat, and pests.
Climate Resilience: These newly developed varieties are adapted to withstand drought and high temperatures, making them a suitable risk management strategy for farmers in challenging environments.
Nutrient Enhancement: The improved varieties have higher levels of iron and zinc, addressing nutritional deficiencies in communities dependent on these crops.
Wider Availability: Collaboration with various organizations has facilitated the distribution and availability of these improved varieties to farmers across different regions, including those with low rainfall and poor soil conditions.
Diverse Use and Market Potential: The new varieties offer better taste and cooking characteristics, expanding their potential uses from food and fodder to brewing and biofuels. This diversification can contribute to value addition and marketing opportunities.

Key points to design your project

The technology of improved millet and sorghum varieties offers significant benefits in several key areas. These improved varieties contribute positively to climate resilience, as they are better adapted to withstand drought, heat, and pests, thereby reducing vulnerability to climate change. This technology aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enhancing food security and nutrition, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through climate-resilient agriculture practices, and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting gender-inclusive agricultural development.

Activities for Adoption of the Technology by Farmers:

Here are the activities needed for the adoption of the technology by farmers in a project/program:

Baseline Assessment: Conduct a baseline assessment to understand the current farming practices, challenges, and needs of the target communities.
Awareness Campaign: Organize awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the benefits of the improved millet and sorghum varieties and how to access them.
Seed Distribution: Procure and distribute high-quality seeds of the improved varieties to farmers through community-based seed banks, farmer groups, and commercial multipliers.
Training Workshops: Conduct training workshops to provide farmers with the knowledge and skills required to cultivate the improved varieties effectively.
Demonstration Plots: Set up demonstration plots to showcase the performance of the improved varieties and encourage adoption among farmers.
Field Days: Organize field days where farmers can visit demonstration plots, interact with experts, and learn firsthand about the benefits of the technology.
Market Linkages: Facilitate market linkages for farmers by connecting them to buyers and food processors, ensuring a sustainable market demand for the crops.
Feedback Mechanism: Establish a feedback mechanism to gather input from farmers and stakeholders, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation of the varieties.
Scaling Up: Develop strategies for scaling up the adoption of the technology beyond the initial project/program area, reaching more farmers and communities.

Cost: $$$

14 - 18 USD

Seed for one hectare of land for sorghum

8 - 12 USD

Seed for one hectare of land for pearl millet

35 - 45 USD/Ha

A ton of animal manure cost

120 - 150 USD/Ha

Inorganic fertilizer cost

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	Tested	Adopted
Chad	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Mali	Tested	Adopted
Niger	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	Tested	Adopted
Sudan	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid	–	–	–	–
Humid	–	–	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 13: climate action

The procedures involved in the "Varieties for Better Nutrition and Stress Resistance" technology can be broken down into the following steps:

1. Selection and Hybridization: High-yielding, nutritious, and resilient millet and sorghum varieties are developed through the careful selection of parent plants with desired traits, followed by conventional crossing and hybridization.

2. Field Testing: The developed varieties, both open-pollinated and hybrids, undergo extensive field testing to ensure their performance under real-world conditions.

3. Formal Seed Systems: The improved varieties are multiplied and made accessible to farmers through "Formal Seed Systems," which involve stringent inspection and certification standards to maintain seed quality and consistency.

4. Recommendations: Specific recommendations for land preparation, fertilizer application, and crop management practices are formulated, taking into account soil types and climate conditions. These recommendations are crucial for achieving high yields and efficient use of nutrients and water.

5. Planting Practices: Planting practices are outlined, including the seed rate and spacing for sorghum and pearl millet, tailored to different agricultural zones.

6. Fertilizer Application: Guidelines for fertilizer application are provided, such as applying DAP during planting and CAN when the crop reaches a certain height.

7. Weed Management: Farmers are advised on weed management, which involves either physical removal or the use of pre- and post-emergence herbicides to prevent weed encroachment.

8. Integrated Striga and Soil Fertility Management: Strategies for managing Striga, a parasitic weed, and maintaining soil fertility are emphasized to maximize grain yields and resource use efficiency.

9. Water Conservation: Water conservation techniques are recommended to ensure efficient use of water resources during cultivation.

Last updated on 22 May 2024