

Drought has stalked southern Africa for a long time, and the biggest victims are invariably smallholder farmers. Working on nutrient-starved soils, with little access to modern technologies, markets or credit, they lived from season to season. Many aimed simply to feed their families, and in many years they failed. But things are changing, thanks to partnerships engendered by ICRISAT and implemented through the SADC/ICRISAT Sorghum and Millet Improvement Program (SMIP), which completes its activities this year.