Sorghum Breeding for Improved Productivity, Nutrition and Industrial Use

Sorghum and cereals in general are staple cereals consumed predominantly with little value addition. Consequently, these crops yield low remunerability in the economy of Uganda and many similar countries. The value of cereals such as sorghum can be increased if key technical and socio-economic debilitating factors are addressed. Cereals in general could have multiplier effects to the economy, improving food security, incomes, livelihoods as well as food sovereignty. For eastern and southern Africa, investing in specific staples especially sorghum can help increase required agricultural gross domestic growth (Ag GDP) needed to move millions out of poverty and meet food security targets. Sorghum production in eastern Africa is never the less low, with an annual productivity decline of about -7%. The purpose of our research team is to develop specialized sorghum and maize-based technologies, in order to reduce food and nutrition insecurity, widen the market opportunities and sustainably use natural resources for production. The programme engages both graduate students and university-based researchers from the south as well as in north to generate innovations need to improve functionality of the sorghum value chain in Uganda and eastern Africa in general. Equally important, is the engagement of communities in partnership via the Community Action Research Project (CARP) of RUFORUM. Our research for development (R4D) activities are harnessing advances in cereal research and a combined use of participatory and socioeconomic research approaches to innovate. Through these engagements, new lines for breeding purposes, as well as pipeline varieties are underway. Pioneering research is also generating novel lines that are being evaluated for use in the development of value added products. Details of these outputs and their implications for university based research for development programmes are discussed.