For robust and responsive global to national breeding systems producing and delivering novel varieties and allied innovations at appropriate scale and scope
What is the profile of Sorghum variety 12KNICSV-188 (Improved Deko)?
Sorghum plays an important role in the diets and economy of the developing countries in the African continent. Here, micronutrient malnutrition, particularly among women and children, is one of greatest global challenges of our times. Micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be derived from the diet. Deficiencies in micronutrients such as iron, iodine, vitamin A, folate and zinc can have devastating health consequences.
Sorghum has been recommended for infants, the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers because of its high caloric and nutritional value. Therefore, any improvement in grain Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) concentration in sorghum would directly benefit the poor in both rural and urban areas.
Sorghum variety 12KNICSV-188 (IMPROVED DEKO) was developed through population improvement by crossing sorghum lines IS15401 X Deko followed by ear-row progeny selection. The improved open pollinated varieties were developed by a team of scientists in the Nigerian national system and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) that was registered and released as SAMSORG 45 in 2016 by the national variety release committee of Nigeria.
What challenges does this innovative crop variety address?
Sorghum has been recommended for infants, the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers because of its high caloric and nutritional value. Although iron and zinc naturally exist in sorghum, many low-income farmers who sell most of their produce meant for for household consumption, suffer from instances of “hidden hunger”, thereby causing iron and zinc deficiencies in their diets.
Naturally bio-fortified new variety- 12KNICSV-188, Improved Deko was developed by Nigerian scientists along with ICRISAT that has three times higher iron content (56.30 ppm than the typically grown sorghum with 40 ppm. Besides, this variety is also drought resistant with average yields of 2.5-3.4 ton/hectare when compared to less than 1 ton/hectare from the local varieties.
Results achieved through this innovation
The open pollinated improved variety, being early maturing can help overcome periods of drought, especially terminal drought that is prevalent in the Nigerian (Sudan and Sahel) ecologies, with 50% flowering in 67 days against the 90 days on average of the existing varieties.
Improved nutritional security amidst rural communities and productivity per unit area (from 1.2 ton/hectare to 2.0 ton/hectare) was witnessed on farmers field with about 35% adoption by rural farmers from a survey conducted on 1,680 farmers distributed across nine states across the three geopolitical zones of Northern Nigeria, including Jigawa, Sokoto Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe States of Nigeria. The improved Deko variety also contributes to livestock feeds due to stay-green variety stalks that can sustain the livestock feeding needs.
Partners and funders of this Innovation
This cultivar was brought to the farmers through partnerships supported by the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (CRP-GLDC), involving ICRISAT and the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR/ABU), Nigeria Sorghum Value Chain, Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program (ATASP-1), HarvestPlus, and the BMGF Hope Project.
Next steps to scale this Innovation
As a Stage 3 and a Maturity level 1 innovation, this improved variety is available for use by the public and CGIAR research institutions, and the related activities that have contributed to changed discourse and/or behaviour among next users. Among others, this is evidenced by 35% adoption by rural farmers from a survey conducted on 1,680 farmers distributed across the nine states in the three geopolitical zones of Northern Nigeria. This innovative cultivar is contributing to SDG 2 “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”, SDG 1 “To end poverty in all its forms, everywhere” in certain parts of the African continent.
Author(s): Ramya Kulkarni (CRP-GLDC MEL Team).
Collaborating Partner(s): International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Kano Nigeria; Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR/ABU) Samaru Zaria; International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Bamako Mali
References:
- Angarawai, I.I., Aba, D. A., Ajeigbe H.A., Yeye M., D.A. Halilu, U.H,Gaya , Eva.R.Weltzien, and F, Rattunde (2016). Technical report for two sorghum varieties: 12KNICSV-188 (Improved Deko) and 12KNICSV-22 (Improved Zabuwa) for registration and release in Nigeria submitted to the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crops and Livestock/fish Breeds during their 23rd sitting held at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. Nigeria 4th June, 2016. https://www.slideshare.net/icrisatsmco/technical-report-on-two-sorghum-varieties-12knicsv188-and-12knicsv22-developed-in-nigeria
- https://www.icrisat.org/new-sorghum-varieties-will-fight-malnutrition-and-climate-change-in-sudan-and-sahel-region-of-nigeria/
Acknowledgement: This work was undertaken as part of, and funded by the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (CRP-GLDC) and supported by CGIAR Fund Donors.
