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ICRISAT’s crop improvement impact in SADC and future research approach
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ICRISAT’s crop improvement impact in SADC and future research approach

  1. ICRISAT’s Crop Improvement Impact in SADC and Future Research Approach Sep 2010 McDonald Jumbo, Isaac Minde, Sakile Kudita and Nkazimulo Ngwenya, ICRISAT-Bulawayo Introduction More than 20 million smallholders farm the drought-prone semi-arid zones of southern Africa.To date,23 improved sorghum varieties,12 pearl millet,and 2 finger millet varieties developed jointly by ICRISAT and its national program partners have been released in eight Southern African Development Community (SADC countries) (Table 1). Table 1. Sorghum and pearl millet varieties developed and released by ICRISAT and national program partners in the SADC region Country Variety/Hybrid Sorghum Pearl millet Botswana Phofu,Mahube,Mmabaitse,BSH1 Malawi Pilira 1,Pilira 2 Tupatupa,Nyankhombo Mozambique Macia,Chokwe,Mamombe Swaziland MRS 12,MRS 13,MRS 94 Tanzania Tegemeo,Pato Okoa,Shibe Zambia Kunyuma,Sima,MMSH 375, MMSH413,ZSV12,FSH22 WC-C75,Kaufela,Lubasi Zimbabwe SV 1,SV 2,ZWSH 1 PMV1,PMV2,SDMV 93032 Namibia Okashana 1 (ICTP 8203), Okashana 1(ICMV88908) Adoption Rates of Improved Sorghum and Millet Varieties in SADC Although adoption of new sorghum and millet varieties still remains a challenge,studies have revealed some progress since these new varieties were released (Figures 1 and 2).In Zimbabwe,SV 2,released in 1987,is now grown on 30% of the country’s sorghum area; PMV 2,released in 1992, occupies 25% of the pearl millet area.In Namibia,Okashana 1 covers an estimated 45-49% of the pearl millet area.In Zambia,four recently released varieties cover 35% of the sorghum area.Several varieties released in Botswana in 1994 now cover an estimated 20% of the national sorghum area.Varieties released in Malawi are now grown on about 10% of Malawi’s sorghum area and 7% of the country’s pearl millet area.Efforts to strengthen national seed supply systems could further lift these adoption rates higher. Foundation Seed Production Seed quantity and quality as well as its availability are among the major factors that contribute to successful farming.In Zimbabwe,the economic slowdown not only affected the food supply but had also seriously affected seed availability.Although the mandate of research centers is the development of new varieties,ICRISAT’s role to produce foundation seed to support farmers in Zimbabwe will help improve food security as well as maintaining the genetic purity of the varieties. With funding from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),ICRISAT in Bulawayo has produced foundation seed for groundnuts,sorghum,cowpeas and pearl millet,and from the 2009/2010 growing season,the following quantities were produced; 10100kg of sorghum seed,9418kg of pearl millet seed,and 4000kg of cowpea seed.Groundnuts quantities have not yet been determined as the crop is still being processed. Current and Future Plans The current and future research strategy is to advance technology development along side other systems such as seed delivery and market systems in order to open reliable seed supply sources and market links for surplus grain production. Alongside market links,ICRISAT also plans to consider improving traits that are preferred by the industry to attract commercial demand for dryland grain crops.Figure 1. Adoption (% of National Sorghum Area) in SADC. Figure 2. Adoption (% of National Pearl Millet Area) in SADC Region. Figure 3. FAO/USAID representatives and ICRISAT staff in a sorghum foundation seed field at Matopos Research Station in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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