Kenya: New varieties boost finger millet harvest

A clip from an article in “The Standard” (Kenya):

Over 1,200 farmers in Busia County (Kenya) have resolved to revive finger millet farming following the introduction of early maturing varieties.

The farmers drawn from 300 groups said the new varieties, developed by Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and International Crop Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), offer better yields than the traditional types.

Speaking during a farmers field day at Alupe, the farmers led by Joseph Moding said the eight new varieties introduced by Harnessing Opportunity Productivities Enhancement [ed: of Sorghum and Millets] – the HOPE project -, recorded an improved harvest.(..)

The varieties matured within 90 days, giving all farmers a chance to harvest. The crops were not affected by poor rainfall, said Moding.
He affirmed that farmers are likely to harvest over eight bags per acre, five more than what they have been getting.
Patrick Audi, a researcher with ICRISAT, said most of the [improved] finger millets varieties given to the local farmers were ideal for the area.

He said finger millet farmers have not been able to benefit from the crops because of using seeds that were susceptible to diseases and had a long maturity period. (read the full article in The Standard)
Read more about HOPE, an ICRISAT project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Picture and article courtesy Christine Wangari - ICRISAT