A day with Uganda’s chief millet breeder

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December 3, 2022 – Half a day spent at the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) today was an eye opener for Organic Impact leaders. The Institute based in Serere, Soroti, is part of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).

 

Dr. Scovia Adikini, head of the National Dryland Cereals Breeding Programme, explained why Ugandans should grow more millet.

 

Firstly, millet is rarely attacked by pests. This reduces the need to spray chemicals. It means poor farmers who do not have money for agrochemicals, and those who want to farm organically, can grow millet comfortably.

 

Secondly, millet is fairly drought resistant. In this era of climate change, rain is becoming scarce. Millet is one of those crops that can grow with limited rains. In agricultural terminology, millet is referred to as a climate-smart crop, because it can withstand dry conditions.

 

Thirdly, the demand for millet is high both locally and internationally yet production is low. This explains why millet sells at higher prices than other cereal crops.

 

Fourthly, millet has enormous health and nutritional benefits, for example it has a lot of iron, which helps to prevent anaemia. A millet meal a day is great for the health of people of all age groups.

 

Dr. Adikini took the team for a field tour of millet research plots. The section has various improved varieties of millet under study. For Tororo, where most of Organic Impact activities are based, she recommended Naromil 2 and Naromil 5, for which she provided planting materials.

 

Worth noting is that the Institute grows millet in lines. This makes weeding easier, and leads to higher yields. The space between lines is 30-45cm.

 

Whereas most Ugandans are familiar with finger millet, Dr. Adikini recommends that a new, improved variety of pearl millet can also do well in most of the country yet it is quicker maturing, more drought resistant than finger millet and slightly higher yielding. It’s taste is similar to that of finger millet. As of end of 2022, the institute was preparing to release the new variety of pearl millet.

 

Dr. Adikini gave the team a PDF guide book on finger millet production in Uganda.