The Economic Impact of New Sorghum and Millet Technology Adoption in Niger: Performance and Challenges

Transcription

1 The Economic Impct of New Sorghum nd Millet Technology Adoption in Niger: Performnce nd Chllenges Cropping Yer Abdoulye Ibrhim Djido 1, John H. Snders 2, nd Botorou Ouendeb 3 July 2012 Bulletin No12 1

2 1 The principl uthor (picture bove) is from Nimey, Niger, nd is currently doing his Ph. D in Agriculturl Economics t Purdue University, West Lfyette, IN He cn be contcted by emil t: ibrhimd@purdue.edu 2 Dr Snders is Professor t Purdue University, West Lfyette, IN He cn be contcted by emil t: jsnder1@purdue.edu 3 Dr Ouendeb is the Regionl Coordintor of the Production-Mrketing Progrm, Nimey, Niger. He cn be contcted by emil t: bouendeb@yhoo.com Front cover pictures re the courtesy of Dr. Botorou Ouendeb. Right picture: picture of Sepon 82 t mturity in the vlley of Angou Mt (September 2010). Left picture: dried millet stlks being trnsported to storge for fmily food consumption in Tourb (October 2011). 2

3 Tble of content Introduction... 5 Bckground... 5 Progrm composition nd report orgniztion... 6 Prt One: The Improved Sorghum Vriety, Trend nd Economic Performnce... 6 I. Sorghum in the Mrdi region of Niger from 2005 to The Site of Aoun D Knk Sorghum Yields from 2008 to 2010 in Aoun D Knk Fctors ffecting the yields of Sepon 82 in 2010 in Aoun Gins in yields from the doption of monoculture Sepon 82 in Aoun Cost of the technologicl pckge in Aoun D Knk Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in Aoun D Knk Profitbility from the doption of new sorghum technology in Aoun D Knk The sites of Mrk nd Tourb The site of Mrk The site of Tourb Gins in yields from the doption of monoculture Sepon 82 in Mrk nd Tourb Cost of the technologicl pckges in Mrk nd Tourb Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in Mrk, nd Tourb Profitbility from the doption of new sorghum technology in Mrk nd Tourb in Conclusion The site of Angou Mt Sorghum Yields from 2008 to 2010 in Angou Mt Conclusion for the Mrdi region II. Econometric nlysis of fctors influencing frmers Sepon 82 yields in Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the Mrdi region s whole Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the site of Aoun D Knk Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the site of Mrk Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the site of Tourb Conclusion Prt Two: The Improved Millet Vriety, Economic Performnce III. Millet in the Mrdi nd Tillbery regions of Niger

4 3.1 Millet yields in Mrk of the Mrdi region Millet yields in Mrk in Fctors ffecting the yields of Ztib in 2010 in Mrk Gins in yields from the doption of monoculture Ztib in Mrk Cost of the Ztib technologicl pckges in Mrk Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in Mrk Profitbility from the doption of new millet technology in Mrk in Conclusion Millet in the Tillbery region Smple Yield Evlution in the Tillbery region Fctors ffecting the yields of Ztib in 2010 in Tillbery Gins in yields from the doption of Ztib Cost of the technologicl pckge Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in the Tillbery region Profitbility from the doption of monoculture Ztib in the Tillbery region in Conclusion IV. Econometric nlysis of fctors influencing frmers Ztib yields in Conclusions Recommendtions

5 Introduction In this report we present the results of the field reserch in Niger from interviewing producers in the summer of 2011 bout the lst three crop yers 2008 to After working in Niger from 2005 to 2007, ctivities stopped in 2008 nd were restrted in So, we re studying continuity in the bsence of the project s well s project performnce in The objectives in this bulletin re to evlute the economic impct of the Production- Mrketing project of the Interntionl Sorghum nd Millet (INTSORMIL) progrm in Niger nd to pprise the performnce of the project in chieving the gols of improving yields through better technologies nd griculturl prctices, of obtining higher prices due to product qulity premium nd to storge, nd in boosting frmers incomes from both yield nd price increses. The report describes the different griculturl prctices, exmines the diverse forms of resources tht enter in the crop production system, identifies some chllenges tht producers re fcing nd discusses recommendtions. An econometric nlysis is lso provided to evlute frmer complince with the gronomic recommendtions nd the impct upon observed yields. Bckground The Production-Mrketing project with the collbortion of INRAN (the Ntionl Agriculturl Reserch Institute of Niger) trined households through their villge frmers ssocition to promote the introduction nd the diffusion of new millet nd sorghum technologies. The progrm provides input credits for improved cultivrs of millet nd sorghum to py for moderte levels of inorgnic fertilizers, improved seeds nd fungicides. Moreover, the progrm trins involved producers on how nd when to perform different culturl prctices. After hrvest, the prticipting frmers py bck in kind the input credits to the frmers ssocition. The reimbursement is then stored nd sold before the next production seson to py for the inputs to be used the following crop seson. It becomes n nnul revolving fund for input purchses. Frmers re lso encourged to contribute nd sell dditionl grins through the ssocition. The mrketing component of the progrm is s importnt s the production component. The mrketing component of the project trgets the development of the ssocition to brgin for higher prices for their products. Higher prices result from the qulity premium for their products, the storge fctor, nd the incresed brgining power from selling lrger quntities. The frmers ssocition stores the grins for severl months. Even before the next crop seson mrket prices of stple foods re generlly incresing fter their post-hrvest collpse. After the initil credit infusion in the first crop yer, the frmers ssocition is then in chrge of buying inputs (inorgnic fertilizers) directly from locl sellers or government gencies. This gives the ssocition greter purchsing power for buying lrger quntity of inputs s well s selling the products moving the frmers ssocition towrds n independently functioning mrketing coop. 5

6 Progrm composition nd report orgniztion The project opertes in two regions of Niger, Mrdi nd Tillbery. A totl of 79 h of Sepon 82 (the improved sorghum vriety) nd 49 h of Ztib (the improved millet vriety) were plnted in In wht follows re summrized the results of the field survey conducted in the summer of This report is divided into two prts. The first prt presents the field results of Sepon 82 (sorghum) in the region of Mrdi for the period. The second prt discusses the field results of the Ztib (millet) in the two regions of Mrdi nd Tillbery for the 2010 cropping seson. The report includes: yield nlysis of the improved technology doption, n nlysis of fctors tht impct the yields of the improved vrieties, mrketing nlysis, n income effect, some econometric regressions to explin yield vritions, nd recommendtions. Prt One: The Improved Sorghum Vriety, Trend nd Economic Performnce I. Sorghum in the Mrdi region of Niger from 2005 to 2010 In the erly yers of the introduction of the Sepon 82 in the Mrdi region, the progrm flourished. Producers were ble to increse their sorghum yields considerbly by cultivting Sepon 82. This gve big impetus for the implementtion of the project in the Mrdi region by incresing the number of producers in the progrm. The verge yields of Sepon 82 during the period surpssed the trditionl sorghum yield by t lest 70% (figure 1.1). The best producers (the ten percent highest) yields were t lest double of locl producers following the trditionl prctices (figure 1.1). The best producers followed well the recommendtions nd plnted sorghum on good lnds with mnure. Sorghum producers in this region hve been prt of the progrm for mny yers. Even though the INTSORMIL project ws bsent in Niger for two yers (2008 nd 2009 crop yers) the revolving funds continued to operte from the erlier progrm so the producers were ble to continue using these funds to purchse inputs. During these two yers of bsence, Sepon 82 yields were excellent nd still substntilly out yielded trditionl or locl cultivrs (figure 1.1). Overtime producers with higher sorghum yields from Sepon 82 hve concentrted this cultivr more in the vlleys pushing the locl sorghum more onto slopes nd plteus. Unfortuntely, being in the vlley ws not s dvntgeous in 2010 when flooding becme problem. With the flooding of 2010 the new cultivrs were especilly vulnerble due to their concentrtion on the lowlnds. Also Sepon 82 s Cudtum is more subject to the moldhed bug complex from lte seson rins thn the trditionl Guine cultivrs. With flooding nd lte seson mold-insect dmge Sepon 82 yields were only 868 kg/h in 2010 crop yer on the 79 h cultivted there (figure 1.1). 6

7 Figure 1.1. Yields of sorghum ( ) in the Mrdi region of Niger. Kg / H Yields of Sorghum in Niger 3500 Flooding in Best 10% Sepon Locl Sorghum B A A represents the verge yield of Sepon 82 plnted on lowlnds (797 kg/h) by monoculture producers. B represents the verge yield of monoculture Sepon 82 (1,049 kg/h) plnted on slopes. Best 10% represents the verge Sepon 82 yield obtined by the highest ten percent Sepon 82 yields of the smple survey. The number of observtions of the best 10% in 2005 nd 2006 re respectively eight nd six (Abdoulye, Snders, & Ouendeb, 2007; Abdoulye, Snders, & Ouendeb, 2008). The number of observtions of the best 10% in 2008, 2009, nd 2010 re respectively four, six nd eight frmers (Author s field survey). This does not include the site of Angou Mt. Frmers clerly did not follow the progrm in Angou Mt in the lst two yers so we re not including these yields here. Note: After the regionl project ws finished in 2007, we were unble to finnce the field study of yield results for tht yer. Recll dt were tken during 2011 for 2008 nd The 2005 nd 2006 dt were done pproximtely six to eight months fter the hrvest in both cses. Source: Abdoulye, Snders, nd Ouendeb (2007, 2008); Author s field survey However, in 2010 on the slopes where there re positive effects from the high rinfll, there ws significnt yield difference of 1,049 kg/h (1,217 kg/h with mnure) s compred with 797 kg/h on the lowlnds (figure 1.2). The sorghum on the slopes with mnure doubled the locl or trditionl sorghum yields. Here mnure rised yields by 371 kg/h (figure 1.2).The lowest yields were on the most infertile soils, the plteus. Here even the mnure did not help. The lowlnds with mnure did not do much better thn the plteus in this bd flooding yer. With the flooding the mnure probbly held even more the wter nd further reduced yields on the lowlnds. Even excluding the flood yer 2010, the overll yield decline overtime indictes the need to renew the seed (see trend line for verge yields in figure 1.1). In 2011 the progrm finnced the production of renewed seed of Sepon 82. 7

8 Figure 1.2. Averge monoculture sorghum yields (kg/h) distribution in the Mrdi region of Niger Applied 564 Plte Did not pply Monocultur e of Sepon Slo 1,049 Applied 1, sorghum yields in the Mrdi region Did not pply 846 Locl Applied Lowl Source: Author s field survey Did not pply The Site of Aoun D Knk In 2007 the progrm stopped in Niger but frmers successfully continued ctivities we initited with them in 2008 nd In 2010, in ddition to the 15 h of input credits provided by the progrm, the frmers ssocition of Aoun incresed by five dditionl hectres the re in Sepon 82. This expnsion in re cme from revenue erned by the frmers ssocition in The smple survey is composed of 26 men operting on 16.5 h of monoculture Sepon 82 (tble 1.1.1). Tble Totl re plnted, re nd number of producers surveyed under monoculture of Sepon 82 in Aoun Totl re plnted (h) Are plnted by monoculture producers in the survey (h) Number of monoculture producers in the survey Sepon b 26 c 8

9 The project mde input credits for 15 h. The ssocition of Aoun finnced five dditionl hectres so tht more producers could benefit. b The totl re cultivted by producers in the survey is h including 16.5 h for monoculture purpose nd the remining 3.25 h with ssocition. c The number of producers interviewed is 33 of which 26 producers in monoculture nd 7 in ssocition with cowpes. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Sorghum Yields from 2008 to 2010 in Aoun D Knk From Sepon 82 yields incresed slightly. Of ll sites of Sepon 82 in the Mrdi region of Niger, Aoun is the only villge tht did not hve yield decline with the flooding of Yields of producers in Aoun improved ech yer from 2008 to This is the norml pttern we would expect in the bsence of flooding or drought. The Sepon 82 yield in 2010 more thn doubled the trditionl sorghum vriety (tble nd figure 1.1.1). The verge yield reported by producers in Aoun is 1,014 kg/h in 2010 which is 107% greter thn the trditionl or locl sorghum yield. Tble Averge yields of sorghum reported by producers in the villge of Aoun Yers Crops Number of Observtions Men Stndrd Devition 2010 Sepon , Trditionl sorghum Sepon Trditionl sorghum Sepon Trditionl sorghum Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Figure Yields of sorghum in Aoun D Knk ,200 Sorghum yields in Aoun Kg / H 1, Sepon ,014 Locl sorghum

10 Note: The number of observtions for the improved sorghum is 13, 21, nd 26 respectively in 2008, 2009 nd The number of observtions for the trditionl sorghum is 5, 11, nd 17 respectively in 2008, 2009 nd Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Yields on lowlnds representing 54% of the re under Sepon 82 in Aoun were lso reduced substntilly to 861 kg/h. However, yields were excellent on the slopes nd one frmer on the plteu used substntil mnure (27 crts) to get his yields up. Tble Proportion of Sepon 82 plnted on plteus, slopes, nd lowlnds in Aoun Plteus Slopes Lowlnds Yields 1,178 1, Number of frmers Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Fctors ffecting the yields of Sepon 82 in 2010 in Aoun Even though yields were lower on the lowlnds the verge yield decline from flooding ws only 74 kg/h. One third of the frmers complined bout flooding. Mnure hd significnt effect of 645 kg/h but on the verge tht ws for 31 crts with only 21 kg/h effect on sorghum per crt. Only 12% of frmers used mnure in Aoun. We will return to this low return on mnure in our econometric nlysis. Tble Fctors tht ffected yields the most in Aoun D Knk Frequency Averge Sepon 82 yields (kg/h ) Fctors Yes No Yes No Flooding 31% 69% 963 1,037 Mnure use 12% 88% 1, InterCropping of Sepon 82 with cowpes 21% 79% 1,583 b 1,014 b On verge for the frmers using the mnure 31 crts of mnure were pplied per h in ddition to the inorgnic fertilizer. b The mjority of monoculture producers (54%) plnted on lowlnds while in the other group lnds were predominntly on the slopes (57%). Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Gins in yields from the doption of monoculture Sepon 82 in Aoun The difference in yields of monoculture frmers between their improved nd their trditionl sorghum vrieties is 525 kg/h (tble 1.1.5) nd this ws used to clculte profitbility. Tble Yield gins from the doption of the improved vrieties of sorghum in 2010 in Aoun. Averge Sepon 82 yield (kg/h ) Averge trditionl sorghum yield (kg/h ) Yield Difference (kg/h ) Yield Effect (%) Aoun 1, b % 10

11 The verge yield reported by 26 producers following monoculture of Sepon 82. b The verge yield of trditionl sorghum obtined by monoculture Sepon 82 frmers. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Cost of the technologicl pckge in Aoun D Knk The cost of the technologicl pckge of Sepon 82 in Aoun is 31,700 FCFA per hectre (tble 1.1.6). Tble Per hectre cost of the sorghum technologicl pckge in Aoun Items Quntity ( /h) Unit cost of the item ( /h) Totl cost of the item (FCFA /h) Sepon 82 seeds 8 kg 400 FCFA/Kg 3,200 DAP 1 sck=50 Kg 14,000 FCFA/sck 14,000 Ure 1 sck=50 Kg 14,000 FCFA/sck 14,000 Fungicide 1 bg 500 FCFA/bg 500 Totl 31,700 The cost of inorgnic fertilizer (DAP or Ure) is 13,500 FCFA/sck. The villge of Aoun being fr from Mrdi, it costs n dditionl 500 FCFA/sck of fertilizer for trnsporttion cost. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in Aoun D Knk The rte of reimbursement of the input credit ws 100%. All producers repid in kind 240 kg/h (tble 1.1.7). After pying the reimbursement the min use of their sorghum ws for home consumption, 713 kg/h (tble 1.1.7). Smll quntities were sold through the ssocition nd loclly. The quntity sold through the ssocition is n importnt indictor overtime of the frmers support to their ssocition. Tble Averges of Sepon 82 reimbursed, sold nd consumed by Aoun monoculture producers in kg/h in 2010 Yield Sepon Totl Sold through Totl Sold Consumed 82 reimbursement the ssocition quntity in storge individully on locl mrkets 1, b 713 Three producers sold through the frmers ssocition 240 kg/h on verge but only 28 kg/h when we consider the totl smple (26 frmers). b Two producers sold individully on locl mrkets 433 kg/h on verge but only 33kg/h when we consider the totl smple (26 frmers). Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys The hrvest price of Sepon 82 ws 12,000 FCFA/sck but producers reimbursed the input credit t 14,000 FCFA/sck 1. The ssocition first sold loclly 23 scks of Sepon 82 t 13,500 1 This 14,000 FCFA/sck the ssocition pid to frmers resulted from the collective decision of the membership to set high implicit sle price for repying input credits. This price ws higher thn the hrvest price in the region t the time of reimbursement. 11

12 FCFA/sck nd then through n intermediry INRAN gent (the Ntionl Institute of Niger Agronomic Reserch). This middle mn sold 25 scks for the ssocition. Five scks were sold t price of 15,000 FCFA nd the remining twenty scks t 16,000 FCFA. However, he reported to the ssocition price of 13,500 FCFA. Lter this INRAN employee ws forced to repy the ssocition. With this restitution the verge sle price becomes 14,700 FCFA/sck but it is still substntilly lower thn wht frmers were ble to get with individul sles, 21,000 FCFA/sck (tble 1.1.8). This experience indictes the need of the ssocition to invest more time of their officils nd even money in their mrketing ctivities. 2 Tble Storge nd Qulity effects on product prices in Aoun Hrvest Sle price price (FCFA/kg) (FCFA/kg) Frmers ssocition before restitution t originl price Frmers ssocition fter restitution t Price difference (FCFA/kg) Price effect (%) % % refunded price Sold individully % Represents the weighted verge price of five scks sold t 15,000 FCFA, twenty scks t 16,000 FCFA nd twenty three scks t 13,500 FCFA. Note: The frmers ssocition sold their grins from members reimbursements in June (second week). Individul sles were spred between Jnury nd Mrch. So the dvntge of individul selling ws in finding better mrket rther thn selling lter. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Profitbility from the doption of new sorghum technology in Aoun D Knk We clculted profitbility t both the originl price reported by the middlemn to the ssocition nd t the reimbursed price when he ws pressured to return the money. At this reimbursed price the return to the Aoun ssocition increses the income gins from the doption of Sepon 82 from 143% to 171% (tble 1.1.9). However, note tht even with the poor mrketing cse, yields were sufficiently high to mke the technology introduction very profitble. So, Aoun producers did very well even with the flooding nd their mrketing gent initilly tking dvntge of them. Tble Per hectre gins from the doption of monoculture Sepon 82 in Aoun in 2010 Gins from increse d yield FCFA/h Gins from grins b sold FCFA/h Gins from consumption c FCFA/h Gins from individu l sles d FCFA/h Gross revenue gins e FCFA/h Cost of technologic l pckge f FCFA/h Net gins g FCFA/h Returns on doption h Originl price 63, ,695 2,970 77,085 31,700 45, % 2 The ssocition hd to lese the storge re so this cost will need to be dded into future ccounting. 12

13 Refunde d price i 63, ,251 2,970 85,977 31,700 54, % Is obtined by multiplying the monoculture yield difference (tble 1.1.5) by the hrvest price (tble 1.1.8). b Is obtined by multiplying the mount of grins sold through the ssocition by monoculture Sepon 82 producers in excess of their reimbursement (tble 1.1.7) by the price difference (tble 1.1.8). c Is obtined by multiplying the verge quntity of Sepon82 consumed by monoculture producers (tble 1.1.7) by the price difference (tble 1.1.8). We ssumed producers sold these products through the frmers ssocition. d Is obtined by multiplying the verge quntity of Sepon82 sold individully on locl mrkets by monoculture producers (tble 1.1.7) by the corresponding price difference (tble 1.1.8). e Is obtined by summing the gins from incresed yields, stored grins, consumption, nd individul sles. f Is obtined from input (Seeds, fungicide, DAP, ure) credit costs per h s relted in tble g Is obtined by subtrcting the cost of the technology from the gross revenues. This represents the net benefit generted from the doption of the improved technology. h Is obtined by dividing the net gins by the cost. i Is computed bsed on weighted verge price of 147 FCFA/Kg. Five scks were sold t 15,000 FCFA, twenty scks t 16,000 FCFA nd twenty three scks t 13,500 FCFA. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys The excellent yields obtined by Aoun producers in 2010 nd the modertely ttrctive sle price fter restitution through the ssocition mde highly profitble the doption of Sepon 82. The ssocition should be better trined to improve their mrketing. They were instructed to put in more efforts in mrketing ctivities nd over time to invest in their own storge fcilities from the profits of the frmers ssocition. 1.2 The sites of Mrk nd Tourb These two sites re under the sme frmers ssocition locted in Mrk nd ll mjor decisions re mde in Mrk. Producers received their input credits nd reimbursed them in Mrk. They fce the sme input credit cost nd the sme product prices t sle through the ssocition. For the cropping seson 40 h of Sepon 82 were plnted in the two villges (tble 1.2.1). A totl of 34 producers operting on h prcticed monoculture of Sepon 82. Tble Totl re plnted, re nd number of producers surveyed under monoculture of Sepon 82 in Mrk nd Tourb in 2010 Totl re plnted (h) Are plnted by monoculture producers in the survey (h) Number of monoculture producers in the survey Mrk Tourb All two sites

14 Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Most of the new cultivr ws plnted on slopes nd lowlnds in Mrk. The excessive lte rins in 2010 shrply reduced yields here. The on plteu site showed the effect one frmer ws ble to get with lrge scle use of mnure of 27 crts on his one h (tble 1.2.2). Tble Sepon 82 plnted on plteus, slopes, nd lowlnds in Mrk Plteus Slopes Lowlnds Yields 1, Number of frmers Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys The site of Mrk Sorghum Yields from 2008 to 2010 in Mrk The site of Mrk is known to hve been prosperous in the erlier INTSORMIL progrm ( ). The zone of Mrk is good plce to grow sorghum. Producers of Mrk hve reported the highest men Sepon 82 yields in the region for two yers in row in 2008 nd 2009 t 1,543 kg/h nd 1,359 kg/h (tble 1.2.3). They lso obtined the highest yields of the trditionl sorghum vriety for the period mong ll sites of sorghum in the project. Those yers of good Sepon 82 yields obviously influence frmers decisions of where to llocte their crops. Overtime we would expect concentrtion of Sepon 82 on the best lnds, the lowlnds; pushing more of the trditionl sorghum to the slopes nd plteus. In 2010, the norml dvntges of higher soil fertility nd greter wter vilbility on the lowlnds were lost due to flooding. Hence, the collpsing of the yield differentil is not surprising. Producers obtined pproximtely equl yields of sorghum for both the new cultivr nd the locl vriety in 2010 (tble 1.2.3). Tble Averge yields of sorghum vrieties reported by producers in Mrk Yer Crops Number of Observtions Men Stndrd Devition 2010 Sepon Trditionl sorghum Sepon , Trditionl sorghum Sepon ,543 1,014 Trditionl sorghum Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys 14

15 Figure Yields of sorghum in Mrk between 2008 nd ,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1, Sepon 82 1,543 1, Locl sorghum Kg / H Sorghum yields in Mrk Note: The number of observtions for the improved sorghum is 13, 17, nd 18 respectively in 2008, 2009 nd The number of observtions for the trditionl sorghum is 7, 11, nd 13 respectively in 2008, 2009 nd Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Fctors ffecting the yields of Sepon 82 in 2010 in Mrk The entire smple surveyed hs reveled wide disprity between the gronomic recommendtions nd producers' prctices on fields in About 31% of producers intercropped Sepon 82 with cowpes nd thereby reduced their Sepon 82 yields by 515 kg/h (tble 1.2.4). About third of frmers pplied mnure nd obtined n verge yield of 1,075 kg/h nd incresed their yields by 358 kg/h. The use of mono-cropping nd mnure could increse the yield by 873 kg/h 3. Flooding lso reduced yields by 151 kg/h. Tble Fctors tht ffected yields the most in Mrk 4 Frequency Averge Sepon 82 yields (kg/h ) Fctors Yes No Yes No InterCropping of Sepon 82 with cowpes 31% 69% Flooding 44% 56% Mnure use 39% 61% 1, These frmers pplied on verge 17 crts of mnure per hectre to complement the inorgnic fertilizers. The most importnt pplictions were found on the slopes with n verge of 18 crts of mnure per hectre. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys 3 Note tht we did not nlyze the economic impct of the cowpes here. 4 The mold-insect issue from lte rinflls did not show expected results. About 65% of Mrk frmers hd tht problem nd reported 1,067 kg/h wheres yields were lower with no mold-insect complex problem. In the ltter group frmers reported n verge of 913 kg/h. 15

16 1.2.2 The site of Tourb Sorghum Yields from 2008 to 2010 in Tourb The pttern observed in Tourb is similr to tht of Mrk. In 2008 nd 2009, the Sepon 82 yields were excellent 5. The yields of the Sepon 82 doubled those of the trditionl sorghum vriety. In 2008 nd 2009, respectively 1,220 kg/h nd 1,259 kg/h of Sepon 82 were obtined. In 2010, with the mold-insect complex nd the concentrtion of production on the plteus the verge Sepon 82 yield ws only 620 kg/h. This is even lower yields thn wht they obtined for the locl cultivr (724 kg/h in tble 1.2.5). Due to lte rrivl of the inputs over hlf of the re in the Tourb progrm ws plnted on the plteu. Tble Averge yields of sorghum vrieties reported by producers in Tourb Yers Crops Number of Observtions Men Stndrd Devition Sepon Trditionl sorghum Sepon , Trditionl sorghum Sepon ,220 1,104 Trditionl sorghum Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Figure Yields of sorghum in Tourb between 2008 nd 2010 Kg / H 1,400 1,200 1, Sorghum Yields in Tourb Sepon 82 1,220 1, Locl sorghum Note: The number of observtions for the improved sorghum is 2, 7, nd 16 respectively in 2008, 2009 nd The number of observtions for the trditionl sorghum is 2, 6, nd 16 respectively in 2008, 2009 nd Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys 5 But note the limited number of observtions obtined. 16

17 Fctors ffecting the yields of Sepon 82 in 2010 in Tourb Intercropping Sepon 82 with other crops decreses yield on verge by 200 kg/h. The impct of mold ws substntil. On verge yield increment of 300 kg/h is obtined for Sepon 82 tht did not suffer from the mold-insect complex (tble 1.2.6). The use of mnure incresed yields by n verge of 210 kg/h. But the per crt increse ws very smll on the verge of 12 kg/h 6. Tble Fctors tht ffected yields the most in Tourb Frequency Averge Sepon 82 yields (kg/h ) Fctors Yes No Yes No InterCropping of Sepon 82 with cowpes 11% 89% Mold 81% 19% Mnure use 67% 33% These frmers pplied on verge 18 crts of mnure per hectre to complement the inorgnic fertilizers. The most importnt pplictions were found on the slopes with n verge of 33 crts of mnure per hectre. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys The min fctor responsible for the low yields in Tourb ws the concentrtion of the production on the poor soils of the plteu (56 % on plteus, tble 1.2.7). Only 38% (6 frmers) of the frmers plnted on the slopes but those tht did hd substntilly higher yields thn those plnting on the poor soils of the plteu. On the slopes yields were over ton nd 774 kg/h more thn on the plteu. As previously this ws mjor progrm filure of not getting the frmers the inputs on time. This cn be corrected by getting the inputs to frmers erly, by trining frmers on the importnce of combining more inputs with mnure nd finlly by choosing fields loction on the better soils. Tble Sepon 82 plnted on plteus, slopes, nd lowlnds in Tourb Plteus Slopes Lowlnds Yields 324 1, Number of frmers Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Gins in yields from the doption of monoculture Sepon 82 in Mrk nd Tourb The yield difference between the improved nd the trditionl sorghum vrieties is n increse of 5% in Mrk but 14% decline in Tourb (tble 1.2.8). Tourb is the only site where Sepon 82 yields were lower thn the locl vriety but production ws concentrted on poor soils in Tourb. However, on the slopes Sepon 82 yields in Tourb were substntilly 6 We return to the mrginl impct of mnure in the econometric nlysis fter this descriptive section. 17

18 higher thn the locl cultivr resulting in n improvement of 345 kg/h or 46% increse. In this seson with the flooding on the lowlnds there ws definite dvntge for plnting on the slopes. Tble Yield Gins from the Adoption of the monoculture Sepon 82 in Mrk nd Tourb in 2010 Sepon 82 Trditionl sorghum Yield difference Yield Effect Mrk % Tourb % Tourb slopes 1, % In this ctegory we hve Tourb frmers who plnted Sepon 82 exclusively on slopes. Source: 2011 Frm household surveys Cost of the technologicl pckges in Mrk nd Tourb The two sites re in the sme ssocition hence the cost of the technologicl pckge is identicl t 32,200 FCFA/h (tble 1.2.9). Tble Per hectre cost of the sorghum technologicl pckge in Mrk nd Tourb Items Quntity ( /h) Unit cost of the item ( /h) Totl cost of the item (FCFA /h) Sepon 82 seeds 8 Kg 400 FCFA/Kg 3,200 DAP 1 sck=50 Kg 14,250 FCFA/sck 14,250 Ure 1 sck=50 Kg 14,250 FCFA/sck 14,250 Fungicide 1 bg 500 FCFA/bg 500 Totl 32,200 The cost of fertilizer (DAP or Ure) is 13,500 FCFA/sck. The costs of trnsporttion from Mrdi re n dditionl 750 FCFA/sck of fertilizer. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in Mrk, nd Tourb All producers repid their input credits. The reimbursement of credit ws 250 kg/h in grin. After reimbursement, most of the grins were for fmily consumption nd smll portions were sold individully on locl mrkets nd through the frmers ssocition (Tble ). Tble Averges of Sepon 82 reimbursed, sold nd consumed by monoculture producers (kg/h) in Mrk nd Tourb in 2010 Yield Sepon 82 Totl reimbursement Consumed Sold through the ssocition 18 Totl quntity in storge Sold individully on locl mrkets Mrk Tourb Tourb slopes 1, Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys

19 By lter sles Mrk ws ble to increse price over the hrvest price by 31% nd Tourb by 15% (tble ). Given the poor yield performnce they needed to do better in mrketing. The frmers ssocition lwys runs the risk of the sle being rrnged nd for the benefit of locl mrketing gent. This ws clerly the cse in Mrk in 2010 nd is nother one of the resons for stressing the mrketing function of the frmers ssocition. Tble Storge nd Qulity effects on product prices in Mrk nd Tourb Hrvest price (FCFA/kg) Sle price (FCFA/kg) Price difference (FCFA/kg) Price effect (%) Frmers % ssocition Sold individully c % in Mrk b This pplies to both Tourb nd Mrk. b This only pplies to Mrk. In Tourb there ws zero kg/h sold by monoculture producers. c Represents the verge price of Sepon 82 sold individully on locl nd neighboring mrkets by monoculture producers. Note: The members ssocition sold the reimbursed grins nd surpluses in June (third week). The individul sles were distributed between December nd Mrch. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Profitbility from the doption of new sorghum technology in Mrk nd Tourb in 2010 The doption of new sorghum technologies ws not profitble to producers in either Mrk or Tourb in This is explined by flooding in Mrk nd the low soil fertility in Tourb. Note gin tht the inputs were lte in rriving in Tourb so the good lnd ws tken hence the concentrtion of production on the plteu (tble ). These lrge losses re not surprising for Tourb given the concentrtion of re on the plteus, the poorest soil res. In contrst, return to input investment of 75% ws obtined on the slopes in Tourb. In 2012, on the lowlnds frmers would hve been dversely ffected by the flooding which is the downside of this normlly prime region. Tble Per hectre gins from the doption of monoculture Sepon 82 in Mrk nd Tourb in Gins Gins from Gins Gins Gross from consumptio from Cost of Net Return from revenue grins n individu technologic gins on increse gins sold FCFA/h l sles l pckge FCFA/h doptio d yield FCFA/h FCFA/h FCFA/h FCFA/h n FCFA/h M 5, , ,045 32,200-16,155-50% T -12, , ,005 32,200-38, % T 13,965 0 S 41, ,240 32,200 24,040 75% 19

20 M stnds for Mrk. T stnds for Tourb. TS stnds for Tourb slopes. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Conclusion During the 2010 crop seson, most of the Tourb frmers plnted Sepon 82 on poor soils (plteus) with no or little mnure. Hevy rins cused flooding in the lowlnds nd this ws principl fctor in Mrk reducing yields. In yers of low yields with dverse wether in the region the ssocition ttempts to compenste for lower yields with higher prices. However, the Mrk nd Tourb (components of the lrger Mrk ssocition) did not benefit s the ssocition did not find good mrketing outlets. The mrketing bilities of the ssocitions nd these sub-groups need to be improved to respond better to these dverse yers. In ddition, the switch in 2011 to the use of two bgs of NPK insted of one bg of DAP hs incresed the cost of new technology by more thn 50%. These two fctors led to the reduction in re plnted to Sepon 82 in the old progrm. In Tourb, of the 15 h cultivted to Sepon 82 in 2010 only 10 h were plnted in On the mrketing side, the ssocitions hd been dependent on Hroun Lbo (the lrgest egg producer of Niger) nd principl buyer of the Sepon 82. In 2010 Hroun decided to buy sorghum from Kno in Nigeri. Frmers were not prepred to serch for nother mrket but fortuntely the ssocition hs good storge fcility. They wited, which ws good, but they did not serch out better mrkets nd ended up selling through the locl mrketing people. With the incresing cerel prices nd the food deficit in severl regions, the Government of Niger decided in My to put cerels on the different mrkets t moderte price. At tht period with declining prices the ssocition hd to sell their products to buy inputs for the 2011 cropping seson. The progrm dvnced funds for Mrk enbling them to sell lter t price of 13,750 kg/sck in June But this still ws not sufficient to mke the overll ctivities profitble. 1.3 The site of Angou Mt Lnds in Angou Mt re very productive. Frmers in this villge hve hd good sorghum yields in pst yers nd lso they hve comprtive dvntge with regrd to their proximity to Mrdi. This reduces trnsporttion costs nd hence the ssocition nd frmers hve better chnce to get higher prices for their products. The ssocition of Angou Mt received 24 h of input credits for the 2010 cropping yer to cultivte Sepon 82.Men nd women re involved in the Sepon 82 progrm. This is the only site of Niger where women plnted Sepon 82. Women operted on 3 h while men plnted 21 h. A totl of 43 producers were mono-cropping Sepon 82 (tble 1.3.1).Unfortuntely both men nd women pprently utilized the fertilizer on other crops. Even with flooding these re not credible yields. There re mny other ctivities in Angou Mt on which frmers like to utilize fertilizer. So frmers here consider this fertilizer credit progrm. This is mjor filure of frmer trining nd explntion of the progrm. 20

21 Tble Are plnted, re surveyed nd number of producers surveyed in Angou Totl re plnted (h) Are plnted by monoculture producers in the survey (h) Number of monoculture producers in the survey Men Women Men Women Men Women Sepon Totl Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Sorghum Yields from 2008 to 2010 in Angou Mt Producers of Angou hd the second highest Sepon 82 yield in 2008; the verge ws 1,306 kg/h for men. In 2009 nd 2010, Angou producers obtined the lowest Sepon 82 yields mong ll sites in Niger. The verge Sepon 82 yields were respectively 589 kg/h nd 203 kg/h in 2009 nd 2010 (tble 1.3.2). With low yields these producers lost money in both 2009 nd 2010 but still wnt to continue the progrm. Hence, they re undoubtedly using the fertilizer on other ctivities s producers hve interpreted the progrm s fertilizer credits. They produce corn, peppers, nd lso tobcco for sle here. So, the economic evlution of the doption of Sepon 82 in Angou is not done becuse we would not be evluting the project ctivities where the fertilizer ws used. Tble Averge yields of sorghum reported by producers in Angou Yers Crops Number of Observtions Men Stndrd Devition 2010 Sepon Trditionl sorghum Sepon Trditionl sorghum Sepon , Trditionl sorghum Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys 21

22 Figure Yields of sorghum in Angou Mt between 2008 nd 2010 Kg/h 1,400 1,200 1, Sepon 82 1, Locl sorghum Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Angou is high potentil region for sorghum but we hve to mke sure the mrket outlets re working well nd tht the frmers understnd the progrm. This ws high yield sorghum re in 2008 nd cn return gin to tht sttus with good progrm explntion nd the linking to the mrkets nd obtining good prices. Conclusion for the Mrdi region Sorghum Yields in Angou Over the period , the progrm hs been big success in the region of Mrdi t improving sorghum yields nd incresing frmers revenues. Yields of Sepon 82 hve been high except for the serious flooding problem on lowlnds in Since the introduction of Sepon 82 by the project in 2005 in the Mrdi region, only in 2010 did locl cultivrs compete with Sepon 82 in some regions. The decline in the production of the Sepon 82 in 2010 ws primrily due to high rinfll, flooding nd then mold-insect problem with the lte seson rins. Further nlysis of how these fctors impcted Sepon 82 yields in 2010 re investigted in the next section utilizing econometrics. It is necessry to renew the seed supply of Sepon 82. Frmers often evoked the issue of the qulity of seeds becuse of the high level of off-types observed in fields. In the off-seson of Sepon 82 hs been produced on isolted plots in Mrdi nd qulity seed will be mde vilble to the producers t the beginning of 2012 cropping yer. A continuing chllenge nytime new project is introduced is to orient the frmers sufficiently nd convince them to follow the progrm. In mny villges fertiliztion ws not pplied correctly or with the lte reception of the inputs the re chosen were not the good soils of the lowlnds. In this yer there ws n dvntge to plnting on the slopes but the plteus re lwys low productivity. Moreover over most of the period the lowlnds were the best site for the highest yields. 22

23 Another problem tht needs to be overcome with frmers identifiction nd trining is tht the project is sometimes perceived s fertilizer subsidy progrm in which producers cn procure inorgnic fertilizer t lower cost nd put it on other crops such s mize, peppers, tobcco or sweet pottoes. This is continuing problem of the progrm requiring regulr field visits from the tem to clrify the progrm objectives. It is cler from this evlution tht more progrm effort needs to be put into the mrketing ctivity. Frmers need to understnd the mrketing strtegy of producing clen cerels, storing them nd looking in wide re for the best price. There is lwys the dnger of the locl or villge merchnt informing outside buyers nd obtining the cerel t low price. To void this, the development of the frmers ssocition into mrketing coop with independent officers serching for the best lterntive mrkets is criticl. Previously Hroun Lbo hd been principl buyer but s the progrm expnds we will need to identify more buyers. The frmers ssocitions by selling in quntity cn void the villge nd the regionl middlemn nd look for the finl buyers such s millet food processors nd intensive chicken producers. But they should t lest sell to the third stge of mrketing beyond the locl nd regionl buyer nd consequently get the vlue dded of their collection of smll quntities, storge, price serch nd sle of lrge quntities As the frmers ssocition is selling lrger quntities they cn sell t lter stges of the mrketing process nd even to the processors of food products in Nimey. But they hve to mintin qulity, hve relible officils in the frmers ssocitions, nd do the mrket serches. These sub-groups of the lrger frmers ssocitions re not the pproprite gencies to concentrte our mrketing ttention. We need to be deling with the lrger frmers ssocition or creting new ones but ttining our desired size of 150 members. II. Econometric nlysis of fctors influencing frmers Sepon 82 yields in 2010 In this prt of the bulletin, the objective is to determine fctors tht ffect the yields of sorghum for the 2010 cropping yer in the three sites (Aoun D Knk, Mrk, nd Tourb). Liner regressions re run for the overll Mrdi region nd for ech site. Three ctegories of vribles were included in the regression models: topogrphicl vribles, gronomic performnce mesures, nd stochstic effects. The topogrphicl vribles re: plnting on lowlnds, slopes or plteus. Mesures of gronomic performnce re the wy the inorgnic fertilizers re pplied (side dressed or brodcsted), who did the ppliction (by dults, or by kids), nd the complementtion of inorgnic fertilizer by orgnic mnure. Stochstic fctors re floods, birds, nd mold issues. The definition of vribles used in the regressions nd the expected signs on their coefficients (hypothesis) re presented in tble 1 in the ppendix. 2.1 Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the Mrdi region s whole The results confirm higher yields on the slopes nd plteus. Yields were 379 kg/h higher on the plteus thn on the lowlnds since flooding ws problem in 2010 (tble 2.1). Sepon 82 yields were higher with mnure ppliction especilly on the slopes (figure 1.2). The yields of Sepon 82 reported in figure 1.2 on the slopes with nd without mnure re respectively 1,217 kg/h nd 848 kg/h. The mrginl effect of mnure did not come out to be 23

24 importnt in the regression, low incrementl increse of 14 kg/h in yields for every crt of mnure on the slopes. However, frmers understnd the role of dding orgnic mteril especilly niml mnure in their fields to improve the orgnic mtter level. This reinforces soil structure by enbling better retention of wter nd nutrients especilly on sndy soils. Mnure lso increses biologicl ctivity. The qulity of the mnure is not ssessed here. Trditionlly, frmers pply dried mnure with low nutrient content especilly due to the N being voltized in the sun (see Picture 1). Frmers need to mke compost heps nd to wter the mnure to encourge bcteril ctivity. As result, the mnure qulity could be improved. Brodcsting is still populr prctice in the region nd 65% of the producers were doing it. The effect of brodcsting on Sepon 82 yields is reduction of 422 kg/h s compred to the recommended side-dressing (tble 2.1). About 1/3 of the fertiliztion ws performed by kids. The ppliction of fertilizer by kids reduces yields by more thn 200 kg/h (see picture 1). So fertilizer ppliction side-dressed by dults is identified in the whole region s criticl. Future gronomic trining needs to focus on this. During interviews frmers often discuss the effects of mold-insect complex nd bird ttck. Even though the coefficients of these two were not significnt in the regression, they showed the expected negtive sign. Tble 2.1. Determinnts of Sepon 82 yields in the Mrdi region in 2010 Prmeter Estimte t Vlue Averges or percent Intercept 812*** 7.49 Slopes (Dummy) 304*** % Plteus (Dummy) 379*** % Mnure use on the slopes / crts per H 14*** % of the totl smple pplied 26 crts/h on slopes Fertilizer BrodCsted -422*** % Fertilizer AppliedByKids -208** % Mold (Dummy) % Birds (Dummy) % Note: Adjusted R-squred=0.33, number of observtions=103, degree of freedom=95 24

25 Appliction of NPK by children. Nitrogen voltizes when exposed to sunlight. Picture 1. Fctors determining yields in the progrm in the Mrdi region. Courtesy of Abdoulye Ibrhim. Tourb (June 2011) 2.2 Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the site of Aoun D Knk Here gin the contribution of mnure is smll bsolutely but highly significnt. Flooding nd the mnure ppliction hd the most significnt impcts on Sepon 82 yields. Flooding on lowlnds cused yield reduction of 589 kg/h in 2010 but occurred on only smll frction of frmers, only 15% of producers (tble 2.2). Even with the flood effect, the verge Sepon 82 yields reported by producers in this site re the highest in the Mrdi region. This comes from better observnce of the gronomic recommendtions. More thn three fourth (76%) of these frmers side-dressed the inorgnic fertilizers s recommended by our gents. The potentil yield increse from locl plcing (side-dressing) fertilizers either by dults or children is n improvement of more thn 260 kg/h (tble 2.2). Agin, the most importnt thing to work on in trining the improved gronomy is the correct ppliction of the fertilizer. Tble 2.2. Determinnts of Sepon 82 yields in Aoun in 2010 Prmeter Estimte t Vlue Averges or percent Intercept 858*** 7.84 Mnure use/ crts per H 20*** crts / h LowLnds*YesFlood (Dummy interction) -589*** % LowLnds*NoFlood (Dummy interction) % SideDressing*AppliedByAdults (Dummy interction) 264* % SideDressing*AppliedByKids(Dummy interction) 261** % 25

26 BrodCsting*AppliedByAdults (Dummy interction) % Birds (Dummy) % *,**,*** Significnce levels t the 1%, 5%, nd 10% respectively. 29% of lowlnds flooded Note: Adjusted R-Squred=0.31, number of observtions=26, degree of freedom =18. 77% of frmers side-dressed fertilizers in Aoun compred to 39% in Mrk nd only 7% in Tourb. 12% of frmers pplied mnure in Aoun. 2.3 Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the site of Mrk The two most importnt fctors tht ffected Sepon 82 yields in Mrk in 2010 re the pproprite ppliction of fertilizers nd the bird ttcks. Yields incresed by 686 kg/h when dults side-dress rther thn children brodcst the inorgnic fertilizers (tble 2.3). The effectiveness nd the yield response to inorgnic fertilizers re mximized only when this tsk is done properly. Only 1/5 of the smple (22%) re following correctly this gronomic recommendtion. With better trining nd lerning by doing frmers cn substntilly increse yields. Bird ttck hd lso substntil significnt impct on Sepon 82 yields in 2010 in Mrk where yield reduction of 635 kg/h ws reported with three fourth of the producers complining bout bird ttcks (tble 2.3). It is not s esy to do something bout this but screcrows nd slingshots re often used on smll frms. The contribution of mnure in incresing Sepon 82 yields is highly significnt in Mrk but is still smll mrginlly t 25 kg/h from one crt of mnure. About 40% of frmers pplied mnure with n verge of 17 crts/h (tble 2.3). Surprisingly, the effect of flooding on the lowlnds where 44% of frmers plnted Sepon 82 ws not significnt but hs the expected sign (tble 2.3). So this my be sndier soils with fewer problems from flooding. Tble 2.3.Determinnts of Sepon 82 yields in Mrk in 2010 Prmeters Estimte t Vlue Averges or percent Intercept 702*** 6.35 Mnure use/ crts per H 25*** crts / h SideDressing*AppliedByAdults (Dummy interction) 686** % SideDressing*AppliedByKids (Dummy interction) % BrodCsting*AppliedByAdults (Dummy interction) % Birds (Dummy) -635* % LowLnds (Dummy) % *,**,*** Significnce levels t the 1%, 5%, nd 10% respectively. Note: Adjusted R-Squred=0.52, number of observtions=18, degree of freedom=11. One producer plnted on plteu nd ws excluded from the nlysis. There re only lowlnd nd slope plnted res in this regression. 39% of producers pplied orgnic mnure. 26

27 2.4 Fctors ffecting Sepon 82 yields in the site of Tourb This site did not suffer from flood effect. No frmlnd ws locted on lowlnd. None of the frmers reported birds ttcks, nd only two producers recognized the mold-insect complex in their field. So the question is wht is the reson for low Sepon 82 yields in this site? Two importnt fctors impcted Sepon 82 yields in Tourb: the choice of Sepon 82 field nd who does the fertilizer ppliction. Both of these fctors re gronomic-relted recommendtions. More thn hlf of these frmers were plnting Sepon 82 on the most infertile soil, the plteus where mnure did not help. Frmers complined bout inputs rriving lte nd their best lnd ws lredy being used. Tourb is the only site where this mnure vrible ws not significnt. Even the ppliction of inorgnic fertilizer on these nutrient depleted soils did not gurntee good yields. Frmers decision to plnt on plteus cused reduction in yields of lmost 500 kg/h (tble 2.4). The ppliction of fertilizer ws often done by children with no dult supervision. This hs the cost of nother 432 kg/h yields reduction. The combined effect of the two fctors, plnting on the lowest fertility lnds nd the ppliction of inorgnic fertilizers by kids, is 928 kg/h yield decline (tble 2.4). Tble 2.4. Determinnts of Sepon 82 yields in Tourb in 2010 Prmeter Estimte t Vlue Averges or percent Intercept 1,069*** 3.16 Mnure use/ crts per H crts / h Plteus (Dummy) -496* % AppliedByKids (Dummy) -432** % *,**,*** Significnce levels t the 1%, 5%, nd 10% respectively. Note: Adjusted R-Squred=0.60, number of observtions=15, degree of freedom=11. There re only plteu nd slope plnted res in this regression s there ws only one observtion from the lowlnds nd this ws excluded. Two reported mold, nd none for birds ttcks. Only one frmer side-dressed fertilizers s recommended. 2.5 Conclusion The nswer to wht re the fctors tht ffected Sepon 82 yields in 2010 is clerly sitespecific. But the common point to the three sites is the filure to follow the gronomic recommendtions for the ppliction of fertilizers. Since inorgnic fertilizer is the most expensive inputs in this process nd only moderte quntities re pplied plcement (sidedressing) nd covering the fertilizer (often not done when children pply) re very importnt to obtin the benefits of fertiliztion. 27

28 With the hevy rins nd flooding of 2010 yields on the preferred re for sorghum, the lowlnds, were substntilly decresed. Hence, plnting on slopes hd the gretest benefit for this prticulr yer, Surprisingly, the mrginl effect of mnure ws not substntil but lmost lwys significnt. Mold nd bird ttcks lso showed the expected signs nd were in some cses significnt. Prt Two: The Improved Millet Vriety, Economic Performnce III. Millet in the Mrdi nd Tillbery regions of Niger Millet yields re very low in Niger. Millet is trditionlly cultivted on slopes nd plteus with low soil fertility. Even in yers of good rinflls millet yields do not increse substntilly due to low orgnic mtter content. This mkes it more difficult to increse productivity, the first gol of the progrm. In 2010 yields were generlly poor in the lowlnds with the high rinfll nd flooding. Thus, this ws good yer for those plnting on the slopes where millet tends to be concentrted. The men yield of monoculture Ztib (708 Kg / H) is higher thn tht of the locl millet vriety (565 Kg / H). With the doption of new millet technologies, yields incresed to 708 kg/h while pplying mnure incresed yields to 904 (figure 3.1). The ppliction of mnure incresed Ztib yields by 271 kg/h. On the millet soils which re lighter nd less fertile thn the sorghum zones mnure is especilly importnt to hold wter nd fertilizers nd to increse microbiologicl ctivity. Figure 3.1. Averge monoculture millet yield (Kg / H) distribution in the Mrdi nd Tillbery regions of Niger in Monocultur e of Ztib Did not l millet yields in the Mrdi nd 565 Locl 904 Applied Good followers of the gronomic Source: Author s field survey

29 3.1 Millet yields in Mrk of the Mrdi region Note tht in the villge of Mrk both Ztib nd Sepon 82 re cultivted; the former hs been introduced in the progrm only in Mrk is the unique site where the progrm hs implemented the possibility for women to grow Ztib in the region of Mrdi. Men were required to cultivte Sepon 82 exclusively while women even though they hd the choice between Sepon 82 nd Ztib produced Ztib exclusively. However, from the interviews the survey results reveled tht men plnted Ztib s well; of the 10 h progrmmed for women to cultivte Ztib, 4 h were plnted by men. Trditionlly, millet is plnted one dy fter the first rinfll. Since the improved millet vriety hs shorter cycle, its plnting dte should be lter thn tht of the locl millet vriety. Lst yer (2010), when the ssocition received the cultivrs, the women fields tht were progrmmed for Ztib were lredy plnted with the locl millet vriety. For this reson, the frmers ssocition of Mrk composed only of men decided to llocte 4 h of Ztib to men. Tble Totl re plnted, re nd number of producers surveyed under monoculture of Ztib in Mrk Totl re plnted (h) Are plnted by monoculture producers in the survey (h) Number of monoculture producers in the survey Ztib The survey covered the entire popultion of Ztib producers h were under monoculture Ztib nd the remining 4.75 h under ssocition; 4 h by 4 men nd 0.75 h by one womn. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Millet yields in Mrk in 2010 The doption of monoculture Ztib incresed millet yield substntilly. The followers of this recommendtion re women nd they reported respectively 870 kg/h nd 523 kg/h for their improved nd locl cultivrs (tble 3.1.2). Tble Averge yields of millet reported by monoculture producers in the villge of Mrk in Crops Number of observtions Men Stndrd Devition Ztib Trditionl millet The verge Ztib yields reported respectively by femle nd mle in Mrk re 1,010 kg/h nd 1,117 kg/h. These re good but not gret yields for millet with the fvorble rinfll conditions for the slopes. Men were ble to more thn double the yield of locl millet by cultivting the improved vriety. Despite hving ccess to poorer lnds nd less input, women obtined good millet yields for their first yer of prticiption. The highest individul millet yields reported in Mrk were obtined by women for both the improved nd trditionl millet vrieties. Less orgnic fertilizer is generlly vilble to women. Moreover, they cn pply lbor to their field only fter supplying the lbor for the communl or fmily lnd. Given these constrints, women were better followers of the gronomic recommendtions thn the men. 29

30 Note: Men obtined 1,117 kg/h. They ssocited cowpes, so they re not prt of this nlysis. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Fctors ffecting the yields of Ztib in 2010 in Mrk Two fctors were found to be importnt in the determintion of Ztib yields. There ws n increse in Ztib yields when women complemented the ppliction of inorgnic fertilizer with mnure. Women who pplied mnure in their fields hrvested lmost 200 kg/h dditionl to wht their counterprts obtined (tble 3.1.3). Women hve ccess to poor or mrginl lnds. The percent increse in yields from the ppliction of mnure will be more importnt in mrginl lnds thn in more fertile lnds. Only one femle out of nine reported cultivting cowpe conjointly with Ztib; the entire smple of men who plnted Ztib in Mrk in 2010 did so in ssocition with cowpe. Clerly, women followed more often the gronomic recommendtions thn men. Frmers tht did the ssocition, minly men, reported higher Ztib yields (tble 3.1.3) but hd ccess to better lnd nd more mnure. Tble Fctors tht ffected Ztib yields the most in Mrk Frequency Averge Ztib yields (Kg/H) Fctors Yes No Yes No InterCropping of Ztib with cowpe 38% 62% 1, Mnure use by women 87% 13% 894 b 700 All four men but only one womn interviewed reveled they intercropped Ztib with cowpe. b They pplied 8 crts of mnure per hectre on verge. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Gins in yields from the doption of monoculture Ztib in Mrk Only monoculture Ztib producers re nlyzed in subsequent tbles. Since ll men nd only one womn producing Ztib ssocited nother crop they were excluded from the nlysis. The yield increse between the improved nd the trditionl millet vriety ws estimted t 66% increse for Ztib monoculture frmers (tble 3.1.4). This lower performnce of monoculture Ztib by women is explined by constrins evoked bove (ccess to lnd, lnd qulity, mnure ccess, nd lbor constrints). Tble Yield Gins from the Adoption of the monoculture Ztib in Mrk in 2010 Ztib Trditionl millet Yield difference Yield Effect Women % Source: 2011 Frm household surveys Cost of the Ztib technologicl pckges in Mrk The technologicl pckge of millet per unit of hectre cost 33,000 FCFA. Tble Per hectre cost of the millet technologicl pckge in Mrk Items Quntity ( / H) Unit cost of the item ( / H) Totl cost of the item (FCFA / H) Ztib seeds 8 Kg 500 FCFA/Kg 4,000 30

31 DAP 1 sck=50 Kg 14,250 FCFA/sck 14,250 Ure 1 sck=50 Kg 14,250 FCFA/sck 14,250 Fungicide 1 bg 500 FCFA/bg 500 Totl 33,000 Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in Mrk The reimbursement of the Ztib input credit ws effective in Mrk. All men nd women repid in kind their credits. Monoculture Ztib producers did not sell ny of their products through the ssocition. Their principl use of their millet ws to increse home consumption (455 kg/h). They sold n verge 165 kg / h on locl mrkets (tble 3.1.6). This represents the highest verge sle of grins fter repyment of input credit in the region. Tble Ztib reimbursed, sold nd consumed by Mrk monoculture producers (kg / h) in 2010 Yield Ztib Consumed Totl reimbursement Totl quntity in storge Sold individully on locl mrkets Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys The price differences between the sle price nd the hrvest price of the improved millet re reported in tble Monoculture Ztib frmers of Mrk incresed their revenue by respectively 35% nd 37% from Ztib stored nd sold through the ssocition in the month of June nd individully between Mrch nd My (tble 3.1.7). Tble Storge nd Qulity effects on product prices in Mrk Hrvest price (FCFA/kg) Sle price (FCFA/kg) Price difference (FCFA/kg) Price effect (%) Frmers % ssocition Sold individully % Note: The frmers ssocition sold their stored grins from reimbursement nd surpluses t the end of June. The individul sles of Ztib took plce between Mrch nd the end of My. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Profitbility from the doption of new millet technology in Mrk in 2010 There is substntil gin from the doption of monoculture Ztib, return on doption of Ztib of 98% (tble 3.1.8) 31

32 Tble Per hectre gins from the doption of monoculture Ztib in Mrk in Gins from consumption FCFA/H Gins from incresed yield FCFA/H Gins from individul sles FCFA/H Gross revenue gins FCFA/H Cost of technologicl pckge FCFA/H Net gins FCFA/H Return on doption 39,905 18,200 7,095 65,200 33,000 32,200 98% Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Conclusion The disdvntge to sorghum of flooding on the lowlnds ment tht it ws n excellent yer for the millet on the slopes. The good Ztib yields recorded by prticipnts in the progrm coupled with n cceptble sle price hve driven up their revenue. Compred to Sepon 82, Ztib hs shown excellent net revenues for monoculture producers in Mrk. Since millet is the principl stple food, over hlf of the production ws kept for home consumption. Women did good job t improving their yields in spite of poor lnd, less ccess to mnure, nd constrints on their vilble time. 3.2 Millet in the Tillbery region Three villges were prt of the Ztib progrm in the Tillbery region in 2010, Bog 1, Bog 2, nd Doutouwel. The smple interview covers only Bog 1 nd Doutouwel. Producers of Bog 2 did not wnt to be interviewed becuse they hd not repid the input credits. Only men re involved in the millet progrm in the Tillbery region. The three sites were in their first yer of prticiption in the project. In Bog 1 frmers re not new to the use of fertilizer. The entire smple of producers interviewed in Bog 1 hd smll irrigted rice field 8 by the Niger River. The ONAHA (Ntionl Office of Hydro-Agriculturl Developments of Niger), which regultes the irrigtion of rice in the sector, requires the use of fertilizers. Hence, frmers re fmilir with fertilizer. Tble Are plnted, re surveyed nd number of producers surveyed in Tillbery Totl re plnted (H) Are plnted by monoculture producers in the survey (h) Number of monoculture producers in the survey Bog Doutouwel Tillbery region A totl of 37 frmers were questioned in the Tillbery region of which 26 reported they did monoculture Ztib. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys 8 The size of irrigted rice fields rnged between 0.25h to 0.50h. 32

33 3.2.1 Smple Yield Evlution in the Tillbery region The mens of Ztib reported by surveyed producers re 407 Kg/H nd 822 Kg/H in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel respectively. In Bog 1 the verge Ztib yield ws 15% lower thn the trditionl millet nd represents only hlf of the Ztib yield obtined by producers in Doutouwel (tble 3.2.2). These yields re lower thn the verge Ztib yields reported in Mrk. This is explined by the sndy soil with low orgnic mtter tht chrcterized this region nd by the filure to use the fertilizers on the millet. Tble Averge yields of millet reported by producers in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel Villges Crops Number of observtions Men Stndrd Devition Bog 1 Ztib 13 Trditionl millet 12 Doutouwel Ztib 24 Trditionl millet 24 Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Fctors ffecting the yields of Ztib in 2010 in Tillbery In this irrigted zone for rice clerly frmers re not using the fertilizer on the Ztib nd/or using low qulity lnds. A third of frmers in the two villges greed tht their lnd where they plnted the improved millet vriety ws of low fertility. Respectively 69% nd 58% of producers in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel greed tht they did not llocte their best lnds to plnt the improved millet vriety (tble 3.2.3). The reson given ws tht the inputs rrived lte. An importnt group of producers, 46% in Bog 1 nd 30% in Doutouwel, let their children do the fertiliztion. Usully, this results in the fertilizer not being covered nd generlly brodcsted rther thn side dressed. More thn third of frmers hd kids of less thn 8 yers old pply fertilizers (tble 3.2.3). Only hlf of the smple side dressed the fertilizer, 6% brodcsted, nd the remining 44% mixed the fertilizer 9 with the seeds nd then brodcsted or side dressed the fertilizer (tble 3.2.3). Tble Lnd lloction nd the ppliction of fertilizers in the Tillbery region (Frequency). Best lnd (No.Obsv) Lnd productivity (No.Obsv) The wy the fertilizer is pplied (No.Obsv) Who pplied the fertilizer (No.Obsv) Yes No Good Acceptble Low Side Brodcst Kid Frmers Bog By mixing the fertilizer with the seed the germintion power/rte could be ffected; this ws the cse in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel where respectively 31% nd 17% hd to replnt the Ztib for its non-germintion. 33

34 Doutouwel Frmers often mix their cultivrs with fertilizers. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Frmers in this region fced lso period of drought t the beginning of the seson in 2010 which led to poor germintion. More thn qurter reported drought issue in Doutouwel nd obtined n verge Ztib yield of 658 kg/h which is 25% lower thn the verge Ztib yield of frmers tht did not fce drought (tble 3.2.4). Mnure use is recommended to producers in the progrm. Orgnic fertilizer generlly is necessry on these sndy soils to hve pyoff to inorgnic fertilizer so tht the soil structure is sufficiently improved to tke dvntge of the inorgnic fertilizer nd rinfll. Only one producer in Bog 1 but three in Doutouwel used orgnic mnure from the entire smple interviewed. The yield difference between those tht pply mnure in their Ztib fields nd those tht did not is over 100 Kg/H in Doutouwel nd 60 Kg/H in Bog 1 (tble 3.2.4). A lrger proportion of producers intercropped the improved millet vriety with cowpe (31% in Bog 1 nd 29% in Doutouwel). Tble Fctors tht ffected yields the most in the Tillbery region (Frequency). Villge of Bog 1 Villge of Doutouwel Frequency Averge Ztib yields (kg/h) Frequency Averge Ztib yields (kg/h) Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Mnure use Intercropping Drought Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Gins in yields from the doption of Ztib The differences in yields between the improved monoculture millet vriety nd the trditionl millet were respectively 12% nd 29% increse in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel in 2010 (tble 3.2.5). Tble Yield Gins from the Adoption of the monoculture Ztib in 2010 in the Tillbery region Averge Ztib yield (kg/h) Averge trditionl millet yield (kg/h) Yield Difference Yield Effect (kg/h) (%) Bog % Doutouwel % Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Cost of the technologicl pckge 34

35 The technologicl pckge of Ztib cost 31,500 FCFA/H (tble 3.2.6). Tble Per hectre cost of the millet technologicl pckge in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel Items Quntity ( / h) Unit cost of the item ( / h) Totl cost of the item (FCFA / h) Ztib seeds 8 kg 500 FCFA/Kg 4,000 DAP 1 sck=50 Kg 13,500 FCFA/sck 13,500 Ure 1 sck=50 Kg 13,500 FCFA/sck 13,500 Fungicide 1 bg 500 FCFA/bg 500 Totl 31,500 Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Reimbursement nd Mrketing Strtegies in the Tillbery region The reimbursement rte in the two villges is stisfctory indicting for Bog 1 tht frmers were using the fertilizer on their other ctivities. Otherwise, why would they wnt to continue the progrm? All producers tht received the input credits in 2010 reimbursed their input credits in kind 200 Kg/H (tble 3.2.7). The quntity of Ztib repid per hectre is not s high s in the Mrdi region. Tble Ztib reimbursed, sold nd consumed by monoculture producers (kg / h) in 2010 in the Tillbery region. Yield Totl Sold through Totl Consumed Ztib reimbursement the ssocition quntity in storge Bog Doutouwel Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Agin the min use of millet fter repyment ws for home consumption. Millet is esily sold on mrkets compred to other stples in Niger. Frmers sold their products t good mrket price which llows them to cover the input credits from the sle of two scks for ech hectre. The hrvest price ws 12,000 FCFA/sck of Ztib but the ssocitions sold the products respectively t 18,000 FCFA/sck nd 17,500 FCFA/sck in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel (tble 3.2.8). Even though the verge yield of Ztib ws lower in the Tillbery region thn in Mrdi, frmers sold their products t higher price with the proximity of lrger mrket re of Nimey, the cpitl city of Niger. Tble Storge nd Qulity effects on product prices in Bog 1 nd Doutouwel Hrvest price (FCFA/kg) Sle price (FCFA/kg) Price difference (FCFA/kg) Price effect (%) Bog % Doutouwel % Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys 35

36 3.2.6 Profitbility from the doption of monoculture Ztib in the Tillbery region in 2010 Clerly frmers in Bog 1 did not fertilize their millet nd will be eliminted from the 2012 progrm. The net gin found in Doutouwel is encourging nd is evluted t 31,455 FCFA/h; this seems to be good result for first yer prticiption in the progrm. The returns on doption of the improved millet vriety were 100% in Doutouwel nd -29% in Bog 1 (tble 3.2.9). Tble Per hectre gins from the doption of Ztib in Tillbery. Gins Gins Gins from Gins Gross from from consumptio from revenue incresed grins n individu gins yield sold FCFA/H l sles FCFA/H FCFA/H FCFA/H FCFA/H Cost of technologic l pckge FCFA/H Net gins FCFA/H Return on doptio n B 5, , ,280 31,500-9,220-29% D 20, , ,955 31,500 31, % B stnds for Bog 1 nd D stnds for Doutouwel. Source: 2011 Frm Household surveys Conclusion For the cse of millet, n improvement in yields plyed n importnt role on revenue. The price of millet is high in bd wether yer (excessive rin for sorghum in 2010). Frmers tht followed the progrm in Doutouwel did resonbly well in incresing incomes. There ws very poor site selection nd supporting services to Bog 1 nd 2. Ares with irrigted rice re expected to concentrte their ttention on the irrigted res rther thn dry lnd millet nd undoubtedly most of the fertilizer ended up on irrigted res or in other better soil res ccording to the frmers own description of where they plnted. A more detiled nlysis of the low Ztib yields is explored in the next section. This relies on econometric regressions including gronomic nd non-gronomic mesures. IV. Econometric nlysis of fctors influencing frmers Ztib yields in 2010 The objective is to determine fctors tht influence Ztib yields for the 2010 cropping yer for the three millet sites (Mrk, Bog1 nd Doutouwel) lredy covered in the first section of this prt II 10. About fifth of producers prcticed tied ridging to hrvest rinfll wter. They thereby incresed their grin yields by 252 kg/h. Mnure ppliction hd the right sign but very smll yield effect (tble 4.1). With better use on sndy soils with inorgnic fertilizer we would expect 10 A liner regression is run for the overll region nd for ech site. For definition of vribles used in the regression refer to tble 1 in the ppendix. 36

37 much better results showing tht the orgnic nd inorgnic fertilizers re complements rther thn substitutes. The other two gronomic vribles in the model were not significnt but their coefficients hd the right signs. Tble 4.1. Determinnts of Ztib yields in Niger in 2010 Prmeter Estimte t Vlue Averges or percent Intercept 721*** 5.45 Mnure use/ crts per H 10*** crts / h TiedRidges (Dummy) 252* % Fertilizer BrodCsted % Fertilizer AppliedByKids % *,**,*** Significnce levels t the 1%, 5%, nd 10% respectively. Note: Adjusted R-Squred=0.16, number of observtions=34, degree of freedom=29. Conclusions This report highlights the success story of the Production-Mrketing project in Niger from the doption of new technologies of sorghum nd millet. For yers, these objectives were reched nd mny producers joined the progrm. During our bsence in 2008 nd 2009 not only did the progrm continue with the revolving funds but lso producers in most regions were recording high yields. It hs been chllenge to persude new dopters of the technologies to follow the gronomic recommendtions. Wht explins this behvior? And wht is the remedy? An intuitive nswer would be producers just don t believe new technology without experiencing it. Regulr field visits will increse the number of good followers who will be the elites. Overtime, most producers skills will improve by imitting better followers. In the Mrdi region, the most fertile soils re in the vlleys. Better followers of the recommendtions will cultivte their highest yielding crops nd new technologies in the vlleys. In 2010, the flood on lowlnds nd the lte mold-insect complex hd n especilly serious effect on sorghum yields. So in this yer the lowlnds suffered while the slopes nd plteus did well. Recommendtions Some recommendtions re derived for controllble fctors. There is evidence from field trips tht producers often do not point-plce or side-dress inorgnic fertilizers. The dt lso support tht frmers usully let their kids pply inorgnic fertilizers. This is often done bdly by kids especilly not covering the fertilizers (see picture 1). The complementrity of mnure with inorgnic fertilizers will depend on the vilbility of the mnure. When pplied on improved vrieties frmers will rpidly shift most of their mnure to increse Sepon 82 or Ztib yields. 37

38 The choice of the most productive lnd to the production of the improved vriety is being followed by mny frmers but new dopters re reticent to do so. Also inputs for sorghum nd millet often rrived lte in With inputs rriving on time nd experience with the improved gronomy frmers will llocte their best productive lnds to the cultivtion of the improved vrieties (Sepon 82 on lowlnds) nd return to the high yield levels. Sepon 82 is being renewed nd Grinkn from Mli introduced in

39 Appendix Tble 1. Mening of vrible used in the regression models nd expecttions Vribles Definition of vribles Effect on yield nd hypothesis LowLnds Dummy vrible. Whether or not the improved vriety is plnted on lowlnds Slopes Plteus Dummy vrible. Whether or not the improved vriety is plnted on slopes Dummy vrible. Whether or not the improved vriety is plnted on plteus Becuse of flooding on lowlnds, Sepon82 yields re higher on the slopes thn on the lowlnds. Becuse of good rinflls, Sepon 82 yields re the highest on the slopes. For the cse of Ztib, yields on the slopes re greter thn on the plteus. SideDressing BrodCsting AppliedByAdults AppliedByKids MnureH Flood Mold Birds TiedRidges Dummy vrible. Whether or not frmers side dressed the fertilizers Dummy vrible. Whether or not frmers brodcsted the fertilizers Dummy vrible. Whether or not frmers pplied the fertilizers themselves in the field Dummy vrible. Whether or not kids were in chrge of pplying the fertilizers in the field Continuous vrible. Number of crts of mnure per h Dummy vrible. Whether or not there ws flood issue Dummy vrible. Whether or not there ws mold issue Dummy vrible. Whether or not there were birds ttcks. Dummy vrible. Whether or not frmers perform this technique to hrvest rinfll wter. Compred to side dressing, brodcsting reduces Sepon 82 yields. Yields from brodcsting will be lower thn from side-dressing. Children often do the ppliction of inorgnic fertilizers wrongly. Yields when fertilizers re pplied by kids lower thn when pplied by dults. +. The more mnure ppliction, the higher the yield. -. Flood decreses yields. -. Mold decreses yields. -. Birds ttcks reduce yields. +. By doing tied ridges, yields of the incresed vriety will increse. Tbles 2 nd 3 show the importnce of plnting Sepon 82 on slopes in excess rinfll yer, the negtive impct of kids pplying inorgnic fertilizers on yields, nd the higher yield reported by Aoun producers. As shown in prt one of this bulletin, Aoun hs the highest Sepon 82 yield followed by Mrk producers. Even Tourb where producers plnted Sepon 82 on the infertile plteu soils hs out-yielded Angou where frmers were not pplying the inorgnic fertilizers on Sepon 82 (tble 3). This hs n importnt impliction. When frmers fil to dopt one component of the progrm technology pckge (improved seeds, inorgnic fertilizers, nd gronomic dvices) their yields drmticlly decline. 39

40 In Angou, frmers filed to pply inorgnic fertilizers on Sepon 82 while producers in Tourb filed to follow the gronomic recommendtions. As result, these two sites reported the lowest Sepon 82 yields observed in the nlysis (tble 3). Tble 2. Determinnts of Sepon 82 yields in Mrdi in 2010 excluding Angou D Knk Prmeter Estimte t Vlue Averges or percent Intercept 601** 2.48 Slopes (Dummy) 360** % Plteus (Dummy) % Fertilizer BrodCsted % Fertilizer AppliedByKids -252** % Mold (Dummy) % MARAKA (Dummy) % AOUNA (Dummy) 373** % TOURBA Note: Adjusted R-Squred=0.17, number of observtions=60, degree of freedom=52. Tble 3. Determinnts of Sepon 82 yields in Mrdi in 2010 including Angou D Knk Prmeter Estimtes t Vlue Averges or percent Intercept 200* 1.76 Mnure use/ crts per H 11*** crts / h Slopes (Dummy) 167* % Plteus (Dummy) % Fertilizer BrodCsted % Fertilizer AppliedByKids -219*** % Mold (Dummy) % Birds (Dummy) % MARAKA (Dummy) 604*** % AOUNA (Dummy) 840*** % TOURBA (Dummy) 381** % ANGOUA. *,**,*** Significnce levels t the 1%, 5%, nd 10% respectively. Note: Adjusted R-Squred=0.58, number of observtions=103, degree of freedom=92. 40

41 References Abdoulye, Thirou, John Snders nd Botorou Ouendeb, Revenus des Producteurs: Effets des Technologies et des Strtegies de Mrketing. INTSORMIL Bulletin n 5. Deprtment of Agriculturl Economics, Purdue University, West Lfyette, IN, 18 pges. Summry of field results for the 2005 crop yer in Senegl, Mli nd Niger. Abdoulye, Thirou, John Snders, nd Botorou Ouendeb, Evlution of Sorghum nd Millet Technology nd Mrketing Strtegy Introduction: crop yer. INTSORMIL Bulletin n 8. Deprtment of Agriculturl Economics, Purdue University, West Lfyette, IN, 24 pges. Summry of field results for the 2006 crop yer in Mli, Niger nd Senegl. Bquedno, Felix, Mmoutou Dirr nd Aly Ahmoudou, Economic Anlysis of the 2007 Crop Yer. INTSORMIL Bulletin n 9. Deprtment of Agriculturl Economics, Purdue University, West Lfyette, IN, 35 pges. Summry of field results for the 2007 crop yer in Mli. Coulibly, J., Evlution des Technologies de Production et de Commercilistion du Sorgho et du Mil dns le Cdre du Projet IER-INTSORMIL, Cmpgne Agricole Bulletin IER-INTSORMIL n 10. Deprtment of Agriculturl Economics, Purdue University, West Lfyette, IN, 36 pges. Summry of field results for the 2008 crop yer in Mli. Coulibly Y. J., G. Kumrswmy, nd J.H. Snders. Forthcoming. Economic Impct of Sorghum nd Millet Technologies nd Mrketing in Mli. IER-INTSORMIL Bulletin n 11. Deprtment of Agriculturl Economics, Purdue University, West Lfyette, IN, 36 pges. Summry of field results for the 2010 crop yer in Mli. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Acknowledgements re given to vrious people who helped throughout the field dt collection nd different institutions involved in this process. This study could not hve been conducted without the entire finncil support from the Interntionl Sorghum nd Millet (INTSORMIL), the McKnight Foundtion, nd the United Sttes Agency for Interntionl Development (USAID-West Afric). It ws lso fcilitted by the involvement of gents from the Ntionl Agronomic Reserch Institute of Niger (INRAN) nd the Interntionl Crops Reserch Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics in Niger (ICRISAT). The uthors would like to recognize constructive comments from Kk Sley (INRAN-Nimey employee), Mggi Abdou (INRAN-Mrdi employee) nd Nouri Mmne (INRAN-Mrdi employee). Their remrks nd critics during the sty of the grdute student in Niger hve been very vluble for his first field dt collection of this type. Specil thnks to Soumil Bbye, 41

42 n INRAN technicin gent, who spent time with the grdute student in villges in the Mrdi region of Niger nd showed hrdship in work throughout the field dys. Recognitions to Abdou Kimb the president of the frmers ssocition in Mrk, Zouer Rbe, Del, Delou Mouss, Tourey Mti, Rbi Mlm Iss, El Hdj Grb Iss the President of the frmers ssocition in Tourb, Iss Gmbo Migri, Seydou Iss, Lbo Alkssoum, Aliko Hbou, Elhdj Idid Nyynk vice president of the frmers ssocition in Aoun d Knk, Abdou Amdou Tchindo, Sndri Amdou, Lmine Iss the president of the frmers ssocition in Doutouwel nd Ali Abdoulye. Apprecitions towrd Hroun Lbo the lrgest egg producer in Niger for tour in his frm nd shring informtion bout his business, Bouzou the locl extension gent in Gbi, Zibo the extension gent for Bog 1 nd Bog 2, nd Hlidou Djibo the extension gent for Doutouwel. Producers in ll villges were collbortive nd we show grtitude for their vilble time t crucil seson periods. Credits to ll producers involved in the progrm nd to those who did not red their nmes. And lstly, to the most creful driver, Boureim, who drove us round during the length of the mission nd the sunny field dys in Niger nd Burkin Fso. Pictures on bck cover: clockwise. Top left, young girl prepring the field outside of Mrk villge. Down left, Delou Mouss took us to her Ztib field bout 2miles wy from Mrk villge. Down right, success story of the president of Tourb ElHdj Grb Iss. He mde good profit from the doption of Sepon 82 technologies nd ccomplished the Pilgrimge to Mecc nd lso is running his own business (mill) in the villge of Tourb. Top right picture, Toureye Mti working in her Ztib field, Mrk. Mrdi, Niger Bck cover pictures re the courtesy of Abdoulye Ibrhim Djido. 42

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