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
i would like to get in tough with HOPE.Any contacts?
am based in western kenya and would like to hear more from hope on finger millet
Grace, I am emailing you the contact for the HOPE project. Please see also http://hope.icrisat.org
I would like to grow finger millet in Southern Narok, any contacts available to assist?
I would be growing 40-50 acres. regards, Moshe Keiwua
Thanks for your interest Moshe. Someone will be in touch directly to help with your query.
I am interested in growing millet and am wondering whether it can do well in Laikipia County which is Semi-arid.
Thanks for contacting us. I will send you an email directly with some more details.
Please be kind enough to grant me to obtain above full research paper on finger millet.
Indika
The email address you supplied doesn’t seem to be working. Please contact me directly k (.) chapman (at) cgiar (.) org and I will try to help further. Thanks
Dear Indika – I will put you in touch with someone who can help via email. Thanks for your interest.
I am interested in developing some new food products based on finger millet. Would be most grateful if you can share any research information on production and current grain trade practices.
Dear Caleb,
We have forwarded your request to ICRISAT, our center concerned with this research. Someone from ICRISAT will be in contact with you soon.
best regards – Peter
Dear Caleb,
Thank you very much for you interest in finger millet value addition. As a project, HOPE places a lot of emphasis in the whole value chain and value addition is one of the way of creating demand. We have developed some products from finger millet (biscuits, crackers, cakes etc) and trained stakeholders and consumers on their production. If you could indicate what products you are interested in and where you come from (market of products at times depends on the eating habits of population) we would be more than willing to give more information
Thank you for this information. I would wish to grow finger millet in my farm in Mwiki kasarani, I am not sure if the weather is favorable. Kindly advice on maximum yield.
Dear Milka, I have forwarded your query to the HOPE project for more information. In the meantime please also see http://hope.icrisat.org/
Regards, Kay
I’ve got a ten acre farm in Ndhiwa I would like to liaise with your organization to grow finger millet. My question is how much does a bag finger millet cost and does it have a ready market?
Moses, you will receive an email shortly dealing with your query. Thanks for your interest!
need contacts want to give it a shot with 6 acres.
Denzel – thanks for your comment. I will be in touch via email with you directly.
Chapman,
I am indeed inspired by this and figuring out to start cultivating in the next few months, But I need more guide can you please assist? I will highly appreciate
Marco – look out for the email I just sent. Regards,
Dear Marco,
Thank you very much for your interest in finger millet. From your email you are based in Arusha and have shambas in Kondoa. The project HOPE actually operates in these areas and of interest is the fact that there will be a field day in Kondoa on or around 3rd May 2013 where stakeholders and interested parties will be shown the different varieties and management options in finger millet and sorghum (it might be of interest for you to attend). As for your interest in production there are two varieties of finger millet recently released and performing well; U15 and P224. you can be availed seed; however the growing season should be over now so you may have to wait for the next season.
Dear Chapman,
Kindly send me a description of morphology and agronomic requirements for the new finger millet varieties. I am an Msc. Agronomy student working on improved finger millet varieties.
Noel.
Your query was been forwarded to relevant colleagues. Thank you for your interest.