The status of pearl millet in Zimbabwe and prospects for the future

Gwarazimba, V.E.E. (1984) The status of pearl millet in Zimbabwe and prospects for the future. Zimbabwe Agricultural Journal, 81 (4). pp. 157-160.

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Abstract

Pearl millet growing in Zimbabwe is confined to areas of marginal rainfall and light soils; it is a subsistence crop grown only by small scale farmers in the communal area. It is, however, the second most widely grown crop after maize, covering some 200 000 ha but with yields of below 0.5 t/ha. Research dates only from 1975. Climate and lack of improved varieties are technical limitations; economic constraints include marketing: the crop is not controlled, and sorghum has dominated the brewing industry; labour: the crop is labour intensive; lack of mechanization; and diseases and pests. Improved farming techniques (agronomic, farming systems and cropping patterns) will not guarantee good yields without improved varieties. Other areas of potential are the brewing, milling, bakery, and livestock feed industries

Item Type: Article
Author Affiliation: Crop Breeding Institute, Department of Research and Specialist Services
Subjects: Plant Production > Farming Systems
Divisions: Millet
Depositing User: Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited: 28 Nov 2012 08:22
Last Modified: 28 Nov 2012 08:22
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/8918

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