A survey of on-farm seed production practices of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i> L. Moench) in Bomet District of Kenya

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is one of the important cereal crops utilized worldwide for human food, animal feed and to a lesser extent as a raw material in commercial food industries. The crop is a strategic commodity for food security, particularly in harsh environments. In Kenya, sorghum is an important crop consumed in some parts of the country as a staple food. It is also a major source of income to small-scale farmers who are its major growers. In the past, its cultivation was concentrated in the medium and low altitude areas of Kenya. However, with the increase in improved varieties, sorghum cultivation has spread to the cold semi-arid highlands. Sorghum production in Bomet District of Kenya is low. Agronomic, socioeconomic and varietal constraints usually affect the production of sorghum. In this study, it was assumed that use of low quality seed was among the factors leading to the low productivity of sorghum in Bomet District. Therefore, a survey was carried out in Bomet District of Kenya with the objective of identifying the constraints to onfarm sorghum seed production. A total of 100 farmers were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The survey focused on a wide range of seed management issues. From the descriptive analysis it was concluded that sorghum grain yield obtained by farmers in the previous season were low as compared to the documented research sorghum yield potential. The major constraints to on-farm sorghum seed production included poor seed source; lack of socioeconomic resources; poor crop husbandry; poor post-harvest handling of seed; damage by weeds, pests and diseases; and lack of marketing incentives. Regression analysis showed that only sorghum farm size (as partitioned by farmers) significantly (P≤0.05) affected sorghum grain yield in the district. Therefore, there is need to have high yielding varieties which will compensate for the ever diminishing farm sizes and land subdivision. In addition, there is need to assess the quality of sorghum seeds planted by farmers to determine the effect of such seeds on sorghum production. There is also need to improve the farmers' agronomic practices on sorghum production especially in relation to fertilizer application. An economic analysis to find out the profitability of purchasing inputs in sorghum production is required. An investigation on pests and diseases affecting sorghum production is also needed. Finally, extension services should be given to farmers and the prices of farm inputs subsidized.

Genetic variability of sorghum landraces from lower Eastern Kenya based on simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers

“…This was reported in the baseline survey conducted in sorghum seed systems in Eastern Kenya which were found to be largely traditional, with farmers playing a major role in the selection and exchange of seeds (Muui et al, 2013). A study conducted on sorghum production systems in Bomet, Kenya, indicated that farmers played a great role in seed selection, exchange and movement (Ochieng et al, 2011).…”

Baseline survey on factors affecting sorghum production and use in eastern Kenya

“…Most small scale farmers who plant landraces crop varieties in sub-Saharan Africa use on-farm produced and saved seed whose quality is usually poor [20,21,22,23]. The informal seed system includes methods such as retaining seed on-farm from previous harvests to plant the following season and farmer-to-farmer seed exchange net works [24,20,25]. Seed quality is of basic importance for a good seedling establishment and crop development.…”

Farmers perceptions on dual-purpose sorghum and it’s potential in Zambia

“…This was one reason why all the LSF who produced sorghum in this study used it as animal feed while the SSFs used it both as food and feed. A study be Ochieng et al, (2011) also reported that all the farmers interviewed acknowledged the adaptability of the crop in the region but its production was constrained by lack of its marketability. …”

“…The poor grain yields in sorghum were partly due to the SSFs consistent use of unimproved seed and cultivation on small parcels of land. Ochieng et al (2011) reported low sorghum grain yields ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 t ha -1 for 92% of the SSFs interviewed compared to the research potential yield of ≥ 4 t ha -1 . Most SSFs in sub-Saharan Africa who plant unimproved varieties (landraces) used on-farm produced and saved seed whose quality was usually poor (Ashiono et al, 2005).…”