KSU 104

Lead University:  Kansas State University  

Project Title: Integrated Soil, Water and Crop Management Strategies for Improving Productivity in Sorghum and Millet Based Cropping System  

U.S. PI:  P.V. Vara Prasad, 2004 Throckmorton Hall, Dept. of Agronomy, Manhattan, KS 66506

Scott Staggenborg, 2004 Dept. of Agronomy, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506
David Mengel, 2004 Dept. of Agronomy, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506

Collaborating Scientists: 

U.S.:
Terry Kastens, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506 

Ghana:
Jesse B. Naab, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale, Ghana

Mali:
Mamadou Doumbia, Laboratoire Sol – Eau, Bamako, Mali

Burkina Faso:
Hamidou Traore, Laboratoire de Phytopathologie, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Niger:
Seyni Sirifi, Sorghum / Millet Agronomy, CERRA, INRAN, BP 60, Kollo, Niger

Summary:

Goal of our project is to improve and intensify cropping systems to help transform sorghum and millet from subsistence to cash crop status, generate more income and provide food security. In the first year, farmers’ practices, preferences and perceptions of various soil, water and crop management practices were identified. Low soil fertility, drought, striga infestation and lack of suitable varieties were major concerns of farmers in this region. Based on these perceptions, both on-farm and on-station experiments were initiated to transfer existing technologies and to test new packaged technologies to improve yields in sorghum and millet based cropping systems. Some of these technologies include dissemination of moisture conservations (e.g., zai, halfmoon, grass bunds, tied ridges and no-tillage system), cropping systems (rotations such cowpea – sorghum; cotton – sorghum), soil fertility (microdose; high nitrogen and phosphorus management) and varieties (early season and striga tolerant). These experiments will be continued for 2 to 3 years. As a part of training and capacity building one student from Mali started his doctoral (Ph.D.) program at KSU. Another M.S. student from Ghana is expected to arrive in spring 2009. We will continue to establish links with local universities in host countries and help them with curriculum development. As a part this, one Ph.D. from Burkina Faso will be trained at University of Ouagadougou. Project progress will be monitored at frequent intervals and necessary changes will be made to meet specific objectives.

Objectives:

The main objectives of during next two years will be to:
Improve farmers’ participation and innovation for new technologies;
Identify improved crop, soil and water management practices to intensify and increase productivity of sorghum and millet based cropping systems;
Integrate various technologies (fertilizer, water management and genotype) into packages and test them under on-farm and on-station conditions; and
Increase cropping area under improved package of practices and provide economic stability to poor farmers