Why ICRISAT introduces dwarf sorghum to farmers in security-challenged areas

Dr Hakeem Ayinde Ajeigbe is the country representative of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Nigeria. The institute has the global mandate of genetic improvement of some crops particularly sorghum, millet, groundnut, among others. Dr Hakeem, a system agronomist, speaks on the institute’s successes, challenges, as well as other issues. […]

Dr Hakeem Ayinde Ajeigbe is the country representative of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Nigeria. The institute has the global mandate of genetic improvement of some crops particularly sorghum, millet, groundnut, among others. Dr Hakeem, a system agronomist, speaks on the institute’s successes, challenges, as well as other issues.

Can you tell us more on 50 years of ICRISAT in Nigeria?

We just celebrated our 50th anniversary recently. ICRISAT was established in 1972 by a consortium of Rockefeller and Ford foundation with support from the Indian government, which is why ICRISAT has its office in India. However, with time, the institute got a global mandate for genetic improvement some crops. ICRISAT began activities in Nigeria around 1976 and in 1988 with efforts from the Kano State ministry for agriculture and rural development, it established a research station in Bagauda of Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State.

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Over the years, we’ve been able to developed varieties of sorghum and groundnuts in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria. The institute also developed a variety of pearl millet in collaboration with Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) Maiduguri. It is indeed a journey so far so good; we have successfully introduced and developed varieties of legume crops in Nigeria and other countries we operate in.

We have also assisted the Bayero University Kano (BUK) in the establishment of its Centre for Dry land Agriculture (CDA), we are also involved in the ongoing Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), which is a project supported by the Islamic development Bank (IsDB). 

How many seeds varieties have you introduce to farmers so far?

Within this period, in partnership with IAR, we have introduced nine varieties of groundnut, eight sorghum varieties and four pearl millet varieties to Nigerian farmers. In addition, we have technically supported some private sectors to release two sorghum open pollinated varieties and additional two more varieties making a total of twelve sorghum varieties so far released to farmers.

In what other areas have you positively impacted on agricultural development?

We have also positively impacted on processing; through our partnership we are working with about five processing companies who are now processing sorghum and millet. We have companies like Al-Shada in Enugu now producing sorghum flour. It will interest you to know that with the support of the federal government, we have successfully introduced sorghum to Enugu and Anambra states. Similarly, we are in the process of introducing sorghum to Ekiti and Ondo states.

How possible is it to grow sorghum in places that were assumed not suitable for the crop to grow?  

Forty years ago, you wouldn’t believe it if you were told that maize will do well in the northern part of Nigeria, but with scientific researches and approaches in breeding and cross breeding, we were able to arrive to where we are today. Moreover, going by its initial name guinea corn, which literally means the corn of the guinea savanna, nobody will believe it will thrive elsewhere, but we have recorded tremendous development in the cultivation of sorghum in those areas, especially in Enugu.

We have Dala Foods Company in Kano that is also into sorghum and millet processing, there is also Northern flour mill among others.

We have also introduced the use of sorghum in poultry feed as a subsidiary of maize; in fact, sorghum has high protein than maize as well as high micro nutrient than maize. 

How were you able to break the barrier of farmer’s conservatives to new innovations?

It is wrong to assume that our farmers are conservative; yes, they are conservative when it comes to culture, but when it comes to things that will positively change their lives, they are very receptive, including the women farmers.

What we give to them is something that will enhance their livelihood and therefore they willingly accept it. That is why we are witnessing the agricultural development we have recorded so far among the small holder farmer.

Are you involved with GMOs introduction to Nigeria’s agricultural sector?

Our institution is neutral in the aspect of the introduction of Genetically Modify Organisms (GMOs), this is to say that currently the institution is not involved with GMOs introduction. Our crop variety introductions are all conventional. 

What are your current commitments to farmers?

We are currently working with IAR towards the introduction of dwarf sorghum to areas facing security challenges and we are hoping to release the variety for multiplication during the dry season. We have resolved to introduce this variety simple to assist farmers in areas that are being affected by the current insecurity challenges. It is hopeful that if introduced, farmers in such areas will be able to cultivate sorghum which is less than one meter tall.

Many farmers in such areas were not allowed to grow sorghum due to the security challenges, and we find it very important to conduct a research that will produce a sorghum that such farmers can cultivate without contradicting any security directives.

We are also going to release a high ion and zinc content pearl millet variety this year to promote healthy food consumption, this we intend to do this year as well.

We are also going to do more on value chain development, under this we will not only look at production but also at post-production and the marketing to boost production. We intend to work with the marketers as well as the inputs dealers for sustainability. We are also looking at climate change to ensure that all our farming activities are climate resilient as well as climate friendly.

What are your strengths?

Our strength is our partners. Ever since we began operating in Nigeria, we have been partnering with various research agencies, the federal government, the state governments, private companies and some Non-Government Organizations.