Constraints and opportunities for upscaling sorghum in Zimbabwe

Transcription

1 Constraints and opportunities for upscaling sorghum in Zimbabwe Conrad Murendo, Machiweyi Kunzekweguta, Sakhile Kudita, Marciline Fusire, Alphios Mayoyo, Rongai Machinga, Rufael Fassil, Vhusomuzi Sithole and Kizito Mazvimavi Presentation to the Sorghum Conference, Cape town, RSA

2 Introduction Maize centric approach (staple crop) Small grains policy missing Sorghum Resilience Nutritious than maize especially micronutrients no studies Feasibility for fodder and energy 2

3 Total production (thousands of MT) and area planted (thousand of ha) Performance of Sorghum in Zimbabwe Low yield despite potential for 3tonnes/ha Year of harvest Production Area Yield Linear (Area) Linear (Yield) Policy question: What are the barriers to production, utilization and marketing in Zimbabwe? Yield (MT/ha)

4 Barrier analysis study Qualitative and quantitative techniques - Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires Two wards selected in each district Four villages randomly selected per ward About 24 farmers randomly selected per ward In each ward, two focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted, and a total of 16 FGD were conducted Characteristic Overall sample Chiredzi Mwenezi Nkayi Bubi Sample size Data collection using ODK Well trained enumerators and specialists from Ministry, ICRISAT, ZRBF and CTDO 4

5 Selected household characteristics Characteristic Overall Chiredzi Mwenezi Nkayi Bubi sample Head age (years) Head gender (1= female) Farmer group membership (1=yes) Full time labour per HH (number) Mean arable land per HH (hectares) Distance to nearest gravel road Distance to nearest extension services Mobile phone (1=yes) Distance to nearest input market Distance to nearest output market Observations % have fallow land hence land is not a constraint to small grains uptake Long distance to input and output markets high transaction costs high input costs and lowers output revenue Distance to extension services Proximity has implications on timely information access High mobile phone penetration scope for ICT based extension systems 5

6 Seed Aid 9% Purchased (formal) 10% Gifts 14% Seed access constraints Purchased (informal) 7% Other 3% Retained (grain previous harvest) 57% Heavy reliance on informal seed sources (retained, gifts and informal) Though crucial for biodiversity seeds are of unknown purity germination, disease resistance Access to improved small grains seeds needed Research and breeding of biofortified, high yielding and fall armyworm resistance small grain varieties Local seed houses to be encouraged to multiply, stock and sell small grains 6

7 Market access: certified seeds (%) Challenges White sorghum Red sorghum Seed source/market too far Seed is expensive Seed not available on time Limited quantities available Variety not known/fake seed Preferred variety not available Never thought of buying Seed distributed not fair Inappropriate pack sizes Distant input markets, costs and availability are key constraints Local agrodealers to stock and sell sorghum seeds to reduce transaction costs Sorghum seeds to be availed in time before planting season 7

8 Challenge Production constraints (%) Birds damage - major challenge in sorghum production White Sorghum Red Sorghum Birds, livestock and wild animals damage Labour challenges Low yields Lack of seed Lack/ no market for harvested crop Land shortages Not palatable/do not like taste Pests and diseases Breeding of bird resistant sorghum grains e.g. Shirichure Labour saving technologies for sorghum grain needed (e.g shellers and dehullers) especially for women Improve access and availability of sorghum seeds 8

9 Crop protection during storage Most farmers are not taking measures to control insects and rodents food security and public health concerns aflatoxins etc Farmer training on the need for insect and rodent control aflatoxin management, post harvest losses 9

10 Sorghum grain storage facilities Heavy reliance on traditional unimproved storage infrastructure high storage losses, aflatoxin contamination Need for training on improved storage infrastructure hermetic bags, metal and improved silos Availability of improved storage structures need to be addressed 10

11 Labour demands by activity selected (%) Activity White sorghum Red sorghum Processing (threshing and winnowing) Weeding Harvesting Land preparation Planting Promotion of labour saving technologies e.g. threshers, dehullers etc 11

12 Consumption: crop preferences (%) Type of crop Chiredzi Mwenezi Nkayi Bubi Maize P. Millet W. Sorghum R. Sorghum Finger millet Red sorghum preference in Chiredzi (also linked to brewery contracts) Sorghum value addition as an ingredient to food stuffs Brewery and confectionery (e.g sorghum muffins) Food formulations Sensory evaluations 12

13 Summary Barrier Recommendations Inputs access Lack of quality seed New varieties of good quality sorghum seed Production Labour -saving technologies for sorghum Labour shortages production processes Challenges with birds and animals Bird tolerant varieties and improving Limited access to agricultural extension and information Pre-processing and storage Challenges in pest control during storage Labour challenges Additional extension platforms (ICT) Pesticides for stored small grains Labour-saving technologies dehullers, hermetic bags Consumption Lack of markets Alternative markets for sorghum Non-palatability of some small grains to other households Sorghum value-added products in the market 13

14 Conclusion Access and availability of improved sorghum varieties Breeding sorghum that are tolerant to birds and pests including fall army worm Improved processing and storage methods and equipment Labour saving technologies Better post-harvest management - to also include aflatoxin management Improved access to markets for both inputs and output Feed and food formulations using sorghum Training and awareness on the nutritive value of sorghum Linking farmers to sorghum grain markets Contract farming private sector linkages 14

15 Thank You