Millet growing begins, communities learn line sowing

March 22, 2023 – After months of consultation and preparation, we put the first millet seeds into the soil on March 22, soon after the onset of the rainy season.

The planting method used was line sowing. Seeds were mixed with manure (decomposed cow dung) and sowed in lines at a spacing of 30-45cm between lines.

Most people in Uganda grow millet using the broadcasting method. Some people were therefore surprised to see the Organic Impact team sowing millet in lines. Some of them said they would rather stick with the broadcasting method while others are interested in trying out line sowing next time they plant millet.

However, line sowing has various advantages over broadcasting. Firstly, it is easy to control the spacing. Secondly, fertilisation is less costly because manure is applied only along the lines. Thirdly, weeding is easier and faster. Fourthly, the millet can be intercropped with legumes such as peas and beans.

Going forward, Organic Impact will teach communities to either grow millet in lines or use the transplantation approach. The latter is similar to a method referred to as system of millet intensification, which is known to increase yields while reducing the workload. However, the system of millet intensification requires irrigation facilities in case there is no rain on the day of transplanting. This factor might limit farmers that do not have irrigation facilities.