[ad_1]
[ADDIS ABABA] Ethiopian scientists have developed a new variety of sorghum that could yield multiple yields each year.
According to the National Statistics Agency in Ethiopia, the country has nearly two million hectares of sorghum and harvests about four million tons of sorghum. The new sorghum variety is expected to produce yields two to three times a year with a continuous supply of water and at least once in the event of a water shortage, said Ethiopia's Minister of Science and Technology, Gethaun Mekuriya. at the time of publication. of the new variety in Ethiopia last month (June 28).
"The benefit of this new variety is … that once you have sown it, you do not need to till the land before five years."
Talegeta Loulé, Re-Nature Eternal Life Agro Processing SC [19659005TalegetaLouldirectricegénéraledeRe-natureEternalLifeAgroProcessingSCbaséeenÉthiopieadéclaréquelerendementmoyennationaldusorghoestd'environ2400kilogrammesparhectaremaisquelanouvellevariétépourraitmultiplierparcinqlesrendements
The unique characteristic of the variety, in Loulé, is that & # 39; it can produce returns for seven to ten years of growth without the need to plow.
Loul, who led the research team to produce the new variety of sorghum, said SciDev.Net : "We have struggled enough to give a return to this country where the majority of the population depends on agriculture for its food and livelihood. "
According to Loul, the research team received a small grant from Science and Technology in May 2015, which facilitated the genetic treatment of cereal crops such as sorghum and teff – an ancient grain of wheat. Ethiopia and Eritrea ground into flour and used to make traditional bread and injera : a dish, a crepe -like product
"The benefit of this new variety is … qu & # Once you have sown, you do not need to till the land for five years, "said Loul, adding that sorghum cultivation preserves the environment and prevents it. 39; erosion. cover all year.
Taye Tadesse, national coordinator of sorghum research at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, told SciDev.Net that if the new variety was distributed to smallholders and used properly it could increase yields.
Sorghum is a dominant crop in most areas of northern Ethiopia and plays a major role in the livelihoods of local communities.
"It's used for food, local drinks and livestock feed," Tadesse said. "In fact, this area is known as the sorghum belt and has ideal conditions for maximizing sorghum yields.
" Improving sorghum yields across the country [is great]. Researchers and development workers need to work with farmers to develop and promote improved sorghum production practices. "
He added that other African countries need perennial sorghum varieties to ensure the continent's food security.
This piece was produced by the SciDev.Net English office for sub-Saharan Africa.
[ad_2]
Source link
