IAR showcases newly released short and medium-statured sorghum cultivars in Kano
In its continuous efforts to solidify and promote agricultural practice among rural farmers, the Sorghum Seed System at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria in collaboration with the Dryland Crops, formerly known as the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Systems in Africa (AVISA) project, has showcased the newly released short-and
medium-statured sorghum cultivars: SAMSORG 52, SAMSORG53, and SAMSORG54.
The showcasing took place at a Field Day Demonstration held at Bagadawa town in
Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State on Monday, 14th October, 2024.
The Field Day is a significant platform that highlights the advantages and benefits of the new sorghum
cultivars, including their adaptability, high yield potential, and suitability across various agro
ecological zones.
It provided opportunities for farmers to engage directly with
scientists, share experiences, and learn best agronomic practices to maximize crop performance.
The Field Day has helped in raising more awareness among rural farmers on the efficiency of the varieties and fostered
market linkages, thereby strengthening the sorghum value chain.
The SAMSORG 52 was released in 2023 and has an outstanding characteristics of early maturing sorghum of 85-90 days and an average height of less than one meter. The SAMSORG 53 was also released in 2023, with an outstanding characteristics of medium maturing of 95-100 days, adaptated to Sudanian and Northern Guinea Savannah High grain and biomass yield.
Furthermore, the SAMSORG 54 was equally released in 2023, with an outstanding characteristics of medium maturing of 95-110 day and adaptated to Sudanian and Northern Guinea Savannah Semi compact elliptic panicle, white seed and tillering.
Speaking at the Field Day Demonstration ceremony, the Executive Director, IAR, Prof. Ado Yusuf, thanked the Kano Agricultural Research Development Agency for hosting the team from the Institute.
Represented by the Assistant Director Research, Prof. L.J Bamaiyi, the Director stated that sorghum is an important crop older than maize and other popular crops.
Prof. Ado explained that the Field Day is aimed at producing crops that give farmers the opportunity of producing other crops within the stipulated rainy period.
He said farmers are their clients and the Institute will do everything humanly possible to support them.
Also speaking, the Lead Agronomist, IAR, Prof. J.A.Y Shebanya, disclosed that the seeds if planted well, will lead to bumper harvest.
Prof. Shebanya noted that in some places when rainfall seizes, farmers complain about the growth of their crops, and that led to the researchers of the Institute to swing into action, which eventually led to the development of the sorghum varieties.
The Lead Agronomist maintained that the three varieties can be planted in both rainy and dry season.
In a remark, the Country Director, International Crops Research Institute for the Semid-Arid Tropics, (ICRISAT), Dr. I.I Angarawai, explained that the essence of developing the sorghum varieties is to meet up with the challenges faced by farmers as a result of climate change insecurity in other parts of the country.
Dr. Angarawai said due to these problems, they felt challenged to develop seeds varieties that can be cultivated early with a combined harvester, and that was why the varieties were released in order to prevent farms from being hideouts for criminals.
In a vote of thanks, the Assistant Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Extension, IAR, Prof. Aminu Ibrahim Sharifai, thanked all partners and invited guests for honoring their invitation.
Prof. Sharifai expressed gratitude to all the farmers present for their cooperation all the time.
Highlights of the event were guided tour of demonstration plots, goodwill messages and questions and answers session.
The event was attended by the Principal Officers and Senior Professors of IAR, farmers within Bagadawa Community of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, representatives of Agricultural Agencies and Research Institutes from Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Maiduguri among others.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Monday, 14th October, 2024.
