Farmers’ Production Constraints, Preferred Varietal Traits and Perceptions on Sorghum Grain Mold in Senegal

Abstract

Improving sorghum adoption rate by developing adapted varieties that meet end-user preferences is a major challenge in West Africa. In this study, a participatory rural appraisal was undertaken to identify the main sorghum production constraints, farmers’ preferred traits and their perceptions on sorghum grain mold. The study was conducted in four representative rural communities located in the main sorghum producing area of Senegal. A total of 260 farmers were surveyed and data were collected through focus group discussions and individual questionnaires. Our results indicated that striga, insects, poor soil fertility and drought are the major sorghum producing constraints in Senegal. Grain mold was identified as the second most important sorghum disease. Discoloration on grain surface was the most important criteria farmers used to recognize the disease. The most important sorghum traits farmers desired in improved varieties are medium to short plant maturity cycle, medium plant height, large open or semi-compact panicle, big and white grain, and adaptation to local growing conditions. The results showed that the sorghum cropping system is dominated by male farmers who mainly grow local landraces. These results will be used to update the breeding products profile to meet end-user preferences in Senegal.

Keywords: Sorghum constraints, Participatory rural appraisal, Focus group discussion, Farmers' preferences, Senegal