Abstract:
Sorghum and millets are the third most important crops in the Eastern and Central Africa (ECA)
region after maize and beans in the research priorities of the Association for Strengthening
Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) (ECARSAM 2005). The crops are
grown on approximately 13 million ha in the region and are the most adaptable in the droughtprone areas where rainfall and water are among the major limiting factors to production. In
Africa and Asia, sorghum and millets are grown primarily for human consumption, in contrast
to developed countries where almost all sorghum production is used for animal feed. Much
of these crops are grown by small-scale farming households operating at the margins of
subsistence. Production in ECA, and Africa at large, remains characterised by low productivity
and extensive, low-input cultivation.