Healthy Millet Plant  Photo:Courtesy

At the farm level, Striga results in yield reductions of between 65-100%. Farmers in East and Central Africa can now sustain their cereal yields using new sorghum and millet varieties in combination with well defined agronomic practices to manage the Striga problem. 

A number of varieties have been released in the region tolerant to Striga and include Wahi and Hakika released in Tanzania but yet under evaluation in Uganda and Sudan; Seredo released in Kenya and Uganda; Gobiye, Hormat and Abshir in Ethiopia; and SRN 39, Striga 1 and Striga 2 in Sudan.  

The agronomic practices used are moisture conservation and fertility management techniques, intercropping, and weed management.  

Extension staff and NGOs are promoting the use of Striga tolerant varieties and the integrated management approach among farmers to minimize the effects of Striga. Other users of the technology are Western Seed Company and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) seed unit, grain and feed processors (Maganjo industries, Uganda) and Power foods in Rwanda as well as brewers companies that depend on the cereals for brewing purposes.  

The technology  was disseminated through on-farm demonstrations, farmer field schools,field days, workshops and seminars, posters, brochures and leaflets, radio and TV programs. Scaling out within the region was through the regional network (EACRSAM), NGOs and CBOs that have regional cross border activities.  

So far, no definite figures for adoption rates have been established within the region but there is evidence for widespread use of the technology in Harerge, Welo, Tigray, South Omo districts in Ethiopia; Homabay, Karachuonyo, Kisumu, Bondo, Siaya and Busia districts in Kenya; Gedarif, Blue Nile (Rank) districts in the Sudan; Singida, Kongwa, Iramba, Dodoma districts in Tanzania; and Kumi, Soroti, Palisa districts in Uganda.  

In managing the Striga problem, the views and opinions of farmers in the region need to be taken into consideration as they comprehend the magnitude of the Striga problem better than extension and research staff having had the problem longer. 

For further information, please contact

Uyole Agricultural Research Institute.

Email: [email protected]