Transplanted sorghum and pearl millet does well in semi-arid regions. 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: R7341: Transplanting sorghum and pearl millet as a means of increasing food security in semi-arid, low income countries.
Transplanting is a simple way to overcome the problems of erratic rainfall in semi-arid regions. Farmers in Zimbabwe and northern Ghana now raise sorghum and pearl millet seedlings in nursery plots before the rainy season and transplant them into the fields when the rains arrive. This considerably reduces the risks of poor or failed crops. Previously, when young crops were patchy, farmers used thinnings to fill in the gaps. But the transplants matured later than the rest of the crop and often didn't do as well because they were susceptible to pests, diseases and end-of-season drought. Transplanting is already used for many other crops and could double harvests of sorghum and millet in semi-arid areas.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (13 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
PSP31, 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 29.