Priorities for Millet Research in East and Central Africa
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Date
2007Author
Mitaru, BN
Githiri, SM
Type
PresentationLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The Eastern and Central Africa (ECA) region covers an estimated area of 8
million km2.
The millets (pearl and finger) are major crops grown in localized areas of this
region where the low rainfall received does not permit reliable production
of the preferred cereals such as sorghum and maize. More than 95% of the
millet grains are consumed as food in the main production areas and only
small quantities are commercially processed or marketed. As the countries
become more urbanized and disposable incomes increase, commercial agroprocessing
is bound to be stimulated. However, for commercialization to
occur, increased production and productivity are a pre-requisite.
This paper reports the continuing importance of millets in the semi-arid and
drought-prone areas of ECA, trends in millet production and productivity
over time and factors contributing to the observed trend. It will also look at
identified production and productivity enhancing constraints and strategies
that have been put in place to address the same.