Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement SORGHUM AND MILLET CONSUMPTION PRACTICES IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE A feedback to the stakeholders Fieldwork report Anne BICHARD –
[email protected] - Cirad & University of Pretoria Sandrine Dury –
[email protected] – Cirad Nicolas Bricas –
[email protected] – Cirad Hettie Schönfeldt -
[email protected] RESUME In 2002, studies were conducted to understand the consumption patterns of indigenous cereals in the Limpopo Province. Fieldwork was implemented in July 2003 in order to present findings of this consumption study to different stakeholders involved in the sorghum sector in the Limpopo Province. People met were not surprised by the results of the study. Some people, especially from the Limpopo Province Department of Agriculture, are convinced that sorghum (or millet) is more adapted than maize to the environment of the Limpopo Province. They regret that most investments for agronomical research were dedicated to maize, which has become now more attractive for local farmers. Seed breeders are also interested in consumers’ perceptions, which should be taken into consideration more for seeds selection. In fact, criteria of selection focus more on agronomical criteria (drought resistance, yield, ..). Farmers were not surprised by the information disseminated. They agreed with the urban consumers’ perception towards sorghum. Some consider that access to urban markets could be a good opportunity to motivate farmers to produce. However, reaching urban markets seems premature at this stage, as most farmers are only involved in subsistence farming. Their production excess is limited and can moreover be sold locally at a very good price. The harvest in 2003 was extremely bad because of drought.