Farmers now benefit from better sorghum varieties. Validated RNRRS Output.
Abstract
This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.
Summary for Project title: R7409: Participatory varietal selection in rabi sorghum.
Over three years in India, farmers tested 27 varieties of sorghum in their fields. They chose five, and three of these went on to be officially released. All three are resistant to shoot fly and charcoal rot and make good roti flour. Plus they are suitable for intercropping with chickpea or safflower. Until these trials, farmers weren't benefiting from decades of plant breeding because researchers had just concentrated on raising yields. They had overlooked strains that made good roti flour although this was an important factor for farmers. So, farmers didn't adopt the new varieties. On-farm trials meant that farmers, as well as testing new varieties could, at the same time, try out better farming practices such as transplanting seedlings rather than sowing seed directly.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (20 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
PSP05, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 28.