Dual‐purpose crops for grain and fodder to improve nutrition security in semi‐arid sub‐Saharan Africa: A review

Abstract

Addressing the challenge of food and nutrition insecurity in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) will require innovative agriculture production systems that support multiple objectives. In recent years, several high‐yielding, and nutrient‐dense varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) have been developed purposely as dual‐purpose (DP) varieties in SSA to meet human nutrition and livestock feed needs. This review synthesized published data on DP varieties from cowpea, pearl millet, and sorghum. Findings showed that DP crops and varieties were largely grown by smallholder farmers in a variety of soil and climatic conditions with production systems characterized by large gaps between attainable and actual crop yields which varied significantly among regions. While the grain and fodder yield of traditional varieties (TV) of cowpea averaged 700 kg ha−1 and 860 kg ha−1, respectively, the reported grain yield of DP varieties was 1100 kg ha−1 and 2150 kg ha−1 for fodder. The average grain yield of TV millet varieties was 750 kg ha−1 and 2500 kg ha−1 for fodder. Similarly, average grain yield for DP millet varieties was 2000 kg ha−1 and 4200 kg ha−1 fodder. Dual‐purpose sorghum varieties yielded greater grain (>3000 kg ha−1) and fodder (3500 kg ha−1) compared to TV. Little data were obtained on the nutritive qualities of cowpea, millet, and sorghum DP varieties. However, DP millet varieties were reported to be more digestible than TV varieties. Furthermore, adoption of DP varieties improves fertilizer use efficiency, profitability, environmental sustainability, and resilience of the whole farm system compared to TV. Considering fertilizer's high prices, availability, and quality in semi‐arid countries in addition to farmer poverty level, economic evaluation and environmental impact assessment are critical before wide dissemination.

Management interventions of pearl millet systems for attaining cereal self-sufficiency in Senegal

“…In addition to the management strategies evaluated in this study, innovative agronomic practices can contribute to the sustainable intensification of cereal production in Sub-Saharan Africa (Kuyah et al, 2021). These practices encompass legume-cereal intercropping (Daryanto et al, 2020;Diatta et al, 2020;Sogoba et al, 2020), agroforestry (Abdoulkadri et al, 2019), and mixed crop-livestock systems (Thornton and Herrero, 2015;Leroux et al, 2022;Akplo et al, 2023). Introducing cereals into mixed cropping or rotation systems with legumes such as pea (Cajanus cajan), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), mung bean (Vigna radiata), mucuna (Mucuna sp.…”

“…Introducing cereals into mixed cropping or rotation systems with legumes such as pea (Cajanus cajan), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), mung bean (Vigna radiata), mucuna (Mucuna sp. ), and soybean (Glycine max) has demonstrated the potential to enhance cereal grain yield and biomass production, offering a valuable dual-purpose approach (Akplo et al, 2023). This type of integrated system not only addresses the essential food and animal product needs of households (Herrero et al, 2010) but also makes efficient use of crop residues for livestock feed (Salmon et al, 2018).…”

Dual‐purpose cowpea grain and fodder yield response to variety, nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilizer, and environment

“…As highlighted in Akplo et al (2023), the first challenge for dual-purpose cowpea varieties adoption is to develop best management practices and update fertilizer recommendations with regard to soil and climatic conditions because…”