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ICRISAT to share expertise on sorghum production with farmers in Somalia
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ICRISAT to share expertise on sorghum production with farmers in Somalia

  1. Newsletter Happenings In-house version 30 July 2021, No.1917 ICRISAT is collaborating with the Somali Agricultural Technical Group (SATG) to provide technical support for sorghum production in Somalia. The expertise provided includes identification of sorghum varieties suitable for Somalia, provision of breeder seed of the identified varieties and training of SATG staff and their partners in sorghum seed production. Since 2016, the SATG has been working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in developing the capacity of cooperatives to improve food production by strengthening the regional staple seeds production sector. Out of 57 local agro cooperatives trained on bookkeeping, business management, application of good agriculture practices, and use of crop protection practices, 15 best performing cooperatives were selected for production of quality sorghum seed. In response to SATG’s request for cooperation in April 2021, breeder seed of the identified varieties (Gadam el Hamam, IESV 92043 DL and CR:35:5) was delivered to SATG in early May 2021. Also, last month a training session was conducted virtually for capacity building in sorghum production. The training, which was led by ICRISAT’s Sorghum Breeders Drs Eric Manyasa and MacDonald Jumbo, was virtually held during 29–30 June 2021. It was aimed at ensuring that the knowledge built, and measures ICRISAT to share expertise on sorghum production with farmers in Somalia applied by the lead farmers in seed production not only contribute to increased and improved sorghum seeds production but is passed to other farmers of the targeted cooperatives. The multiplier effect will largely contribute to increased capacity of sorghum production among the most vulnerable farmers through access of quality seed of sorghum. In addition, the application of good agronomic practices and safe storage will increase productivity and minimize post-harvest loses respectively. The cooperatives’ capacities are expected to strengthen to enable them to market their seed to other needy sorghum production areas in Somalia. The training was attended by participants drawn from SATG, lead farmers from Cooperative Societies, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, and Universities. It covered the following topics: ▪ ▪ Sorghum improvement in Eastern and Southern Africa ▪ ▪ Sorghum value chain and opportunities in the sorghum value chain ▪ ▪ Sorghum agronomy and the application of good agriculture practices ▪ ▪ Sorghum pests and diseases and their management ▪ ▪ Sorghum post-harvest losses and use of good storage system ▪ ▪ Sorghum seed production and quality maintenance In his opening remarks, Dr Hussein Haji, Executive Director, SATG, intimated that agriculture is an Image: ICRISAT
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