International Sorghum and Millet Collaborative Research Support Program (INTSORMIL CRSP)
Date of this Version
7-15-2008
Document Type
Article
Citation
INTSORMIL Impact (July 15, 2008)
Abstract
To increase sorghum and millet production, improved technologies must be introduced to farmers and new markets developed to avoid price collapses from increasing output levels. To promote this productivity increase INTSORMIL conducted on-farm demonstrations of existing technology in collaboration with the national extension agencies and agricultural research programs in Senegal (ISRA), Mali (IER) and Niger (INRAN). Improved seed, inorganic fertilizer and improved agronomic practices, often including tied ridges for water harvesting, were introduced on one ha farmer plots in the three countries. Farmers following agronomic recommendations consistently doubled yields with the best farmers obtaining 2 to 2.5 tons of sorghum/ha (photo right). Traditional yields are less than a ton.
As productivity of cereals is increased, the demands of the rapidly expanded markets for processed foods (millet) and for feed (sorghum) become a central concern. According to Lloyd Rooney, Distinguished Professor of Food Science, Texas A&M University, “a consistent, high quality grain supply is the fi rst prerequisite for the development of the sorghum/millet-based food processing industry.” Following this recommendation the INTSORMIL Marketing-Processing Project headed by Dr. Botorou Ouendeba, in collaboration with West African national programs, focused on improvements in the supply of consistent, quality grains including the provision of “baches” (tarps) to keep the threshing off the ground.
To promote the use of millet as a food INTSORMIL promotes connections between farmers’ groups and the rapidly growing sector of millet food processors of couscous, arraw, degue, sankal, tchakri and yogurt in Senegal, Mali, and Niger. Some of the food processors are also substituting sorghum for millet in food products. According to Pierre Ndiaye, the owner of “Yaourt Jaboot” in Dakar, “Sorghum not only makes excellent couscous and tchakri but I can also point out its advantages to diabetics in my advertising. HIV/AIDS is getting so much attention that most people do not realize how important diabetes is as a killer and disabler in Sub Saharan Africa now.”