Development ,Evaluation and Promotion of Forage Sorghum
for use in Livestock Industry
Planning and Review Meeting
August, 2012
By
Dr. John Robert Olupot
NaSARRI
Project staff
Scientists
• Johnnie Ebiyau, Dr. Olupot John Robert, Wandulu
Joseph, Dr. J.P Takan
Technicians:
• Emanio John- NaSARRI, Grace Ajibo - NaLIRRI
Support staff:
• Okwi Boniface, Omaria Sam, Joseph Okalebo,
Ochom Isaac.
• Alungat Christine,Opuch Tom , Epiku max, Adoku
Joseph
Introduction
• Livestock is an integral part of the economy of Uganda
and contributes about 17% of Agricultural GDP
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• Shortage of quality forage during dry season affects
livestock productivity .
• Sorghum is the best alternative for silage and fodder
production for livestock in rural areas of Uganda.
• Forage sorghum accessions are locally available in
Uganda and ICRISAT – Kenya.
Importance of forage sorghum
Sorghum stalks and leaves can be used for;
• Animal feed – high meat and milk production, farm
yard manure, biogas
• Stover – mulching, beddings, thatching, construction
etc.
• Roughage - Nutrition
• Fuel – firewood etc.
Specific Objectives
• To assemble and characterize forage sorghum
germplasm accessions for use in livestock feed.
• To develop forage sorghum genotypes for livestock.
• Evaluate and promote forage sorghum lines across
diverse agro-ecologies
• To develop an appropriate sorghum - legume
intercropping system for sustainable production of
forage sorghum
• To multiply selected forage sorghum varieties for
commercial use.
Progress 2011-2012
Annual Outputs
Activity
Progress /Achievements
1) Local and
introduced
germplasm base
for forage sorghum
widened
Collection and
characterization of
forage sorghum
germplasm for use in
livestock feed.
50 forage accessions
characterized
2) High yielding forage
sorghum varieties
developed and
tested.
•Screening of forage
sorghum germplasm for
forage qualities and
resistance to pest and
diseases.
8 promising forage
sorghum lines identified for
further evaluation.
15 local accessions
assembled
30 forage accessions
screened for pests and
disease resistance
16 promising forage lines
resistant to stemborers and
shootfly identified.
Progress 2011-2012
Annual Outputs
Activity
Progress /Achievements
•Hybridization and
30 BC3 and 20 BC2
selection of segregating forage lines planted for
populations of forage
advancement
sorghum.
 4X4 crossing block
established at NaSARRI
3) Appropriate
sorghum legume
intercropping
system developed
tested and
promoted
•Development of an
appropriate sorghum
legume intercropping
system for sustainable
forage sorghum
production.
90 farmers from 2 districts
trained on forage sorghum
production, pests, disease
and striga management.
6 demonstration gardens
for sorghum - cowpea
intercrops established in
Soroti and Serere districts.
Forage Sorghum Germplasm Evaluation
Sorghum-Legume Intercropping Demonstration
Capacity building of livestock farmers on forage production
Farmers from Arapai and Gweri during a training on seed multiplication
and livestock rearing
Forage
chopper
Dairy Day at Soroti
State Min for Agri tours the stall
Sorghum – Cowpea hay
Lessons Learnt
• Sorghum makes an ideal alternative for animal feed
during the dry season
• Sorghum stalks are readily available after harvest
during the dry season
• Information on use of forage sorghum as
supplementary animal feed among farmers is
available but limited to few farmers
Planned Annual Output 2012-13
Outputs
Activities
1)Local and introduced
germplasm base
enhanced
Collection and
characterization of
germplasm
2) High yielding forage
sorghum varieties
developed and tested
Screening of forage
sorghum germplasm for
forage qualities and
resistance to pests and
diseases
Planned Annual Outputs 2012-13 cont’d
Hybridization and selection of
segregating populations of forage
sorghum
3). Appropriate sorghum –
legume intercropping system
developed, tested and
promoted
Development of an appropriate
sorghum – legume intercropping
system for sustainable forage
sorghum production
Challenges and Strategies to Overcome them
Challenges
Strategies to overcome challenges
a
Unfavorable weather conditions of
prolonged drought resulting into poor crop
performance
Try to plant early on the onset of rains
b
Untimely and delayed release of funds
affected timely field operations
Timely release of funds to facilitate
field operations
c
Lack of transport affected field operations
NARO to procure more vehicles for the
institute
d
The breakdown of the cold storage facility
has affected the quality of germplasm
maintained at NaSARRI.
NARO to assist renovate and repair
the germplasm storage facility
e
Few NARO technicians to assist scientists in NARO to recruit more technicians to
the project.
assist scientists
f
Old institute tractors that keep breaking
down and delay field operations
NARO to procure new tractors for the
institute to improve on the field
operations
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Collaborators / Partners
ASARECA,
ICRISAT,
INSTORMIL,
NAADS,
Local Governments,
KILIMO Trust,
Private sector,
NGOs,
PARIs,
Media
Farmers and farmer groups
Publications
• ASARECA Bi-Annual Reports 2011-12
• ETOP Radio-Spot messages
• ETOP News paper
• Leaflets – ISM
• Brochure – ISM
• ICRISAT workshops
• A Banner
ACKNOWDLEGEMENT
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Government of Uganda (RB, DB, NTR etc)
NARO
NAADS
ASARECA
ICRISAT
Private Sector (Seed companies, Processors etc.)
NGOs (Vision Terudo, etc)
FAO – KALIP Project
Farmers and farmer groups
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