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Harnessing Modern Science in Africa to Sustain Sorghum and Pearl Millet Production for
Resource-poor Farmers
The project is designed in a module
format to provide MAS options for resistance to downy
mildew disease in pearl millet, drought tolerance in
sorghum and increased resistance to Striga in sorghum.
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Background
Following two workshops held in Tuscon, AZ USA and Nairobi, Kenya involving various scientists
working on the genomics and breeding of sorghum and/or pearl millet, two pre-proposals were
drafted on sorghum and pearl millet marker-assisted selection (MAS). During 2005, these were
combined into a single proposal entitled ‘Harnessing Modern Science in Africa to Sustain Sorghum
and Pearl Millet Production for Resource-poor Farmers’ with the overall goal to improve the longterm
household food security in sorghum and pearl millet growing areas of sub-Saharan Africa
through the cultivation of adapted, higher-yielding and stable hybrids and cultivars. In addition,
through training and involvement of African scientists and the use of regional molecular
infrastructure, future applications of modern science to problems faced by farmers in Africa would be
ensured.
The project is designed in a module format to provide MAS options for resistance to downy mildew
disease in pearl millet, improved stay-green (drought tolerance) in sorghum, and increased resistance
to Striga in sorghum. Mapping of drought tolerance and Striga resistance in pearl millet is also
included to provide the necessary genetic knowledge for future MAS strategies. The target countries,
traits and germplasm will be determined based on the priorities of each country, and the funding
committed by each country and the donor community. Coordinators for each crop and for the marker
technology were envisioned to provide the necessary oversight and backstopping for the project
activities. Sorghum and pearl millet breeders were identified in each country, and a number of
scientists with expertise in sorghum, millets and/or genomics identified in advanced research
institutes in the USA, the private sector and the international research centers.
The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture has been a major supporter of this effort and is
interested to provide funding to initiate the project. Funding will target the technology coordinator
position (for an initial 3 year period) and a project initiation workshop. Additional funding will be
discussed during the proposed project workshop and will involve other donors, as well as the national
programs themselves.
Objectives of the initial project phase
• To appoint a technology coordinator to provide the required scientific oversight for the required
molecular marker services;
• To conduct an initial project workshop to define the project activities, workplan and budget; and
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Download project proposal [PDF 62KB]
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