This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
Published on August 17, 2019, by Francis Mureithi, a major economic activity has emerged in semi-arid regions of Kenya. Farming of the white variety of sorghum has become a lucrative business in counties such as Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia, Kisumu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru, with 45,000 farmers contracted to grow the crop.
However, despite the surge in demand for sorghum, yields per acre remain low. To address this issue, plant breeder and research and liaison manager at the East African Maltings Limited plant in Molo, Sylvester Opil Ndeda, spoke to Francis Mureithi to identify the problems farmers are facing.
According to Opil Ndeda, farmers are ignoring simple yet crucial aspects of land preparation. He emphasized the importance of preparing the seedbed to have fine soil, as sorghum grains are tiny and require a 30-millimeter planting depth. If seeds are buried too deep, they may be killed.
Opil Ndeda also stressed the need for soil testing to determine the right quantity of fertilizers and observing correct spacing to achieve the right crop population. He recommended a spacing of 25cm between plants and 70cm between rows.
Regular scouting for pests and diseases is also essential, as is harvesting sorghum at the right time and drying it well to avoid aflatoxin.
As the main buyers of the grain, East African Maltings Limited is offering solutions to farmers to increase their yields from four to 15 bags per acre. The company is introducing modern farming techniques, including land preparation, fertilizer use, and pest control management.
East African Maltings Limited is also developing high-yielding varieties of sorghum, as farmers have traditionally relied on two low-yielding varieties, Gadam and Sila. The company is conducting post-harvest training to help farmers dry and store their produce effectively.
For farmers to get contracted, they must have at least 10 acres of land. Those with less than 10 acres can form groups and register them, and when they reach a total acreage of 50, they can get a contract. Alternatively, farmers can engage contracted aggregators who recruit them and sign a contract to supply the produce.
As a contracted farmer, they receive inputs, seeds, and fertilizers on time, as well as free advisory services. They are also provided with equipment such as threshers for harvesting sorghum.
With the utilization of sorghum set to double in the next five years from 20,000 to 40,000 metric tonnes, East African Maltings Limited is preparing for the surplus produce. The company has put measures in place, including the setting up of the Kisumu brewery, and is talking to other players to offer alternative markets in case of surplus sorghum.
However, birds' invasion poses a threat to sorghum production among smallholder farmers. While East African Maltings Limited does not have a direct solution, they are discussing with farmers to convince them to plant at the same time in their regions, making it easier to scare birds. Research is ongoing to produce varieties with thorns that will prick birds' eyes and keep them off, reducing damage.
