Sorghum Production Constraints, Trait Preferences, and Strategies to Combat Drought in Tanzania

Mwamahonje, A and Eleblu, J S Y and Ofori, K and Deshpande, S P and Feyissa, T and Bakuza, W E (2021) Sorghum Production Constraints, Trait Preferences, and Strategies to Combat Drought in Tanzania. Sustainability (TSI), 13 (23). pp. 1-13. ISSN 2071-1050

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Abstract

Sorghum is an important food crop for people in drought-prone areas of the world. The production in Tanzania has been ≤1 t ha−1 for a decade. The study was conducted in Iramba, Ikungi, and Kongwa districts to identify factors influencing the sorghum production, adoption rate, and strategies to address drought in Tanzania. The study involved 240 respondents for individual interviews and focus group discussions. Thirty respondents participated in individual interviews while ten farmers participated in the focus group discussion per village. Our study found that birds, poor soil fertility, and drought were the major constraints across the study districts. Drought tolerance, high yield, and early maturity were the most preferred traits by farmers across the study areas. Farmers addressed drought stress in sorghum by practicing early planting early maturing varieties in November and using drought-tolerant varieties. However, most farmers failed to name the diseases and pests affecting sorghum. This study highlights basic information for plant breeders to incorporate traits preferred by farmers in breeding programs when developing new sorghum varieties for sustainable production. The study shows the importance of involving farmers to identify the problems and solutions of sorghum production to increase the adoption rate.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : Genetic Gains
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	adoption rate, drought tolerance, pests and diseases, sorghum production constraints, traits preference
Subjects:	Others > Drought Tolerance Mandate crops > Sorghum
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	14 Feb 2025 10:59
Last Modified:	14 Feb 2025 10:59
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12960
Official URL:	https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/23/12942
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	German Academic Exchange Service, Africa Center of Excellence Project
Acknowledgement:	WACCI and TARI, Makutupora Centre are acknowledged for technical support during implementation of this project.
Links:	Google Scholar

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