Matlon, P.J. (1990) Improving productivity in sorghum and pearl millet in semi-arid Africa. Food Research Institute Studies, 22 (1). 1-43 -1-43 .
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Abstract
The prospects for improving the productivity of sorghum and pearl millet cultivation in the West African semi-arid tropics are considered, with an examination of likely changes. The paper begins with a brief review of recent production trends and sources of past growth. This is followed by a description of the physical context of agriculture in the West African semi-arid tropics, and an evaluation of demographic change which is destabilizing production systems in areas where population pressure has already reached relatively high levels. Past trends in factor costs and probable future changes in the cost of land, labour, and fertilizer are considered. The paper then assesses promising directions for technical change at the farm level in the short and long run, considering the products of on-going and future research, and the research process and orientation. It is concluded that a coherent assessment of the prospects for reducing unit costs of producing coarse grains must be based on: (1) a clear recognition of the range of agroclimatic and demographic conditions that characterize the area; (2) recognition of the time frames within which particular technical changes can be developed; and (3) some assumptions as to future research resource allocations. The potential for major increases in supply exist only in the Sudano-Guinean zone and to a lesser extent in the Sudanian zone where yield increasing and labour saving technologies fit best. Yield stabilizing and land conservation technologies, which have little direct impact on shifting the regional supply curve, should be given highest priority in the Sahel. Even in the higher potential agroecological zones, yield increasing technologies are appropriate primarily in areas of relative land scarcity.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | West Africa Rice Development Association, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire |
| Subjects: | Plant Production Crop Improvement |
| Divisions: | Millet Sorghum |
| Depositing User: | Sandhya Gir |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Mar 2011 21:40 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Mar 2011 21:40 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/1610 |
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