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Disseminate Sorghum KM 32-1 for production and commercialization by farmers for food and income generation

Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crops in semi-arid tropics.  It is well adapted to drought and diverse weather conditions (Takuji and Baltazar, 2009). It has been one of the underutilized crops in Kenya, however the increased use of sorghum by industrial processors has led to high demand for sorghum grain, for instant the brewing industry demand was 30,000MT per year in 2017. Despite this the production is still low at (0.8 t/ha) (M’Ragwa et al, 2001). Causes of low productivity in sorghum include low yielding varieties and narrow adaptation. Through ASAL APRP funding, one high yielding drought tolerant sorghum variety, KM32-1,  which can also grow in cold semi-arid regions, has high brewing quality and resistant to smut disease has been developed. The white variety will be promoted for adoption, production and commercialization by sorghum farmers and actors in the value chain through the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) model, Collective Production and Marketing System model (COPMAS) which was used ASAL APRP. For the promotion to take effect the breeder seed will be produced and bulk seed multiplication done on station under irrigation. Sub-activities will include:

  • Production of dissemination materials
  • Promote farmer access to and use of production inputs
  • Quality seed production for the released varieties
  • Enhance input availability and use in the value chain
  • Capacity building on production, management, postharvest management
  • Organize growers into farmer Common Interest Groups (CIGs)
  • Capacity building on collective marketing
  • Linkage of farmers to markets
  • Dissemination of technologies through on-farm trials, demonstrations and field days
  • Establish and operationalise innovation platforms in value chain
  • Enhance value addition and job creation in the product value chai
  • Promote farmer to farmer learning exchange tours

Video Clips

  • Sorghum Video Clips

 

Research Area

Development of bird damage tolerant white sorghum varieties

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)  has been an under-utilized crop and one of the most important cereal crops in semi-arid tropics (Mukri, et al, 2010).  However food insecurity which has been accelerated by decline in maize production due to climate change stresses and MLN, and the increased use of sorghum by industrial processors has led to high demand for sorghum grain. Sorghum, which is well adapted to drought and diverse weather conditions (Takuji and Baltazar, 2009) could be an alternative staple food crop (Muui et al, 2013). Despite its suitability its production area in Kenya is still low at 184,654 ha in 2016 (National Sorghum Production Statistics, 2016). Bird damage, which is a major constraint, is the main reason why farmers shy away from sorghum. Availing bird tolerant high yielding sorghum varieties for food, feed and brewing that are adapted to all the sorghum growing regions will be the main solution. During the ASAL APRP, 10 white sorghum cultivars with bird tolerance traits were identified; among them are Makueni local and TZ Mchawi. More sorghum lines with bird tolerance and ability to brew have been bred in collaboration with ICRISAT. Further evaluation of these lines will lead to release of bird tolerant lines. The following sub-activities are proposed:

  • Participatory evaluation and selection of Makueni local, TZ Mchawi and other bird escaping open pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrid lines
  • National Performance Trial (NPT) for the best performing lines with KEPHIS
  • Registration and release of varieties

Varieties

Variety release notes for Sorghum KM 32-1

CROP

VARIETY NAME

RELEASE NAME

OWNERS LICENCEE

 

MAINTAINER AND SOURCE

AREAS FOR OPTIMAL PRODUCTION

MATURITY DURATION

YIELD (t/ha)

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

Sorghum

KALSb-OP4-32-01

 

( KM 32-1)

 

KAMANI

KALRO

KALRO Katumani

Altitude: 500-1800 Masl,

AEZ LM 4-5

Seasonal rainfall: 250- 400mm Temperature 15-350C.  Regions: Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Meru, Tharaka, Embu, Busia Homabay and Siaya

Cold dry areas of rift valley

 

Days: 90-100

2.7-3.8 t/ha grain

-Large white seeds

-Open pollinated

-High Malting quality (brewing)

-Stay green drought tolerance

- Short uniform plants suitable for machine harvesting

-Tolerant to low temperature

- Good for de-hulling  to make sorghum dishes for human consumption

 

Rachael Kisilu , KALRO Katumani