Inter and intra cultural variations of millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) uses in Niger (West Africa)

Abstract

Background An ethnobotanical study was conducted in the eight regions of Niger to identify local knowledge variation of millet ( Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) uses. In fact, the level of individual knowledge can be affected by many factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, religious and cultural beliefs, etc. This study documented indigenous knowledge of millet uses in Niger and aimed specifically to (i) identify the different types of millet organ uses and (ii) assess the variation of local knowledge of millet uses along with ethnicity, occupation, and age. Methods The data were collected in 32 major millet-producing villages in Niger through individual semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. About 508 individuals from 5 ethnic groups were interviewed. The assessment of the knowledge was performed by calculating five ethnobotanical indices such as the number of reported uses by parts of the plant (RU), the use-value of the parts of the plant (PPV), the specific use-value (SU), the intraspecific use-value (IUV), and the relative frequency of citations (FRC). Data were analyzed using descriptive, univariate, and multivariate statistical analyses. Results The results indicated a significant variation in uses across ethnic groups ( H = 38.14, P = 0.000) and socio-occupational categories ( H = 6.80, P = 0.033). The Hausa , Kanuri , and Zarma-Sonhrai ethnic groups, farmers were the largest users of the species. Dietary (51.40%) and forage (40.35%) were the most reported uses. The most commonly used parts of the plant were the stubble (74.92%) and grains (73.68%). Conclusions The study showed the importance of P. glaucum in the daily life of local people. It also confirmed the uneven distribution of indigenous knowledge of millet uses in Niger due to social factors. Now, the challenge is how to incorporate these social differences in knowledge of millet uses in view to sustainable management and conservation of local genetic resources of millet. Finally, this work could be an important decision-making tool for future millet valuing.

Farmers' perceptions of fodder performances of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) accessions in Niger

“…In Niger, Haïni Kir e, Guergu era and Zongo (early accessions) are mostly used in the West, the Bâ Angour e, Ankoutess and Boudouma groups (early accessions) predominate in the East, while the Maïwa/Somno group (late accessions) are more widely cultivated in the Western and Central parts. Additionally to the above list of accessions, there are the so-called oases pearl millet types grown in the Aïr Mountains (Bezançon et al, 1997;Halilou and Karimou, 2019;Moussa et al, 2019).…”

“…Pearl millet provides about 90% of the entire grain production, as 54% of rainfed crops and will longer fight hunger (Ouendeba and Sogoba, 2004). The Pearl millet potential to ensure the human food security has been documented (Halilou and Karimou, 2019;Moussa et al, 2019;Ndjeunga and Nelson, 2005), with a significant impact on the daily diet of about 85% of the population in Niger (Ndjeunga and Nelson, 2005;Saidou, 2011). The use of pearl millet for feeding animal is still secondary although its post-harvest residues are essential in the Sahelian cattle breeding systems.…”

“…The use of pearl millet for feeding animal is still secondary although its post-harvest residues are essential in the Sahelian cattle breeding systems. Whether pearl millet grain, as an energy and protein ingredient, might boost poultry, pig, cattle and sheep production systems in the same way as maize and sorghum (FAO, 1997;Moussa et al, 2019;Kindomihou, 2020), we are interested to know the drivers of fodder use of the pearl millet underutilized in Niger?…”

“…Moreover, the landscape in Niger is marked by pearl millet based farming systems. Hardiness and adaptation to hard edaphic and climate conditions as well as its proven fodder potentialities have been somehow less documented (Amodu et al, 2007;Govindaraj et al, 2011;Moussa et al, 2017Moussa et al, , 2019Newman et al, 2010). Thenceforth, how could pearl millet compensate for seasonal fodder deficits, despite its multifunctional status?…”