RA 00015.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

utilizing six widely separated locations within the
country. The primary focus was on screening
sorghum and millet nurseries, supplied by the
core programs at ICRISAT, for local adaptability
as well as to determine potential intercropping
practices and fertilizer responses.
Close collaboration was established with the
national scientists and I R A T personnel as well as
with the USAID-sponsored "Operation M i l "
project at Mopti.
Upper Volta. In 1975 and 1976 a sorghum
breeder and plant pathologist respectively were
appointed to assist the national sorghum improvement
program and to initiate ICRISATs
regional effort in that area. In 1977 a millet
breeder and two agronomists were added to the
team. Major emphasis is placed on developing
photo-insensitive, shorter-cycle, medium-height
varieties of sorghum and millet capable of withstanding
drought conditions at higher plant
populations. Initial screening of large numbers
of nurseries from ICRISAT Center for disease
and insect resistance and general adaptability
was conducted and promising materials are
available for multi-locational testing throughout
the region in 1977. Several very promising lines
of sorghum having good levels of disease and
insect resistance and potential high yield under
stress conditions were identified. A limited test-
Figure 98. ICR1SA Ts laboratory and office
building constructed at the research
station in Kamboinse, Upper Volta.
ing program on hybrid sorghum also revealed a
good potential for the immediate transfer of
Indian hybrids to West Africa, although there
was evidence that hybrid seed from Indian
parents might be more difficult to produce in the
West African regions. A number of on-farm
trials and demonstrations, featuring improved
varieties and cultural techniques, were carried
out in collaboration with farmers in Upper
Volta. Expressions of interest by increasing
numbers of small farmers reflect their appreciation
of this effort.
With the addition of a full-time millet breeder,
the limited program (previously carried out as an
adjunct of the sorghum-improvement research)
will be expanded significantly and will follow the
general broad research objectives as for sorghum.
Similarly, in 1977 agronomy experiments
will be introduced. The initial effort will be
directed towards developing techniques that will
be within reach of the average small West
African farmer. Such techniques will aim at
utilizing the natural environment as much as
possible without relying heavily on chemicals
and other inputs. Studies on the interaction
between cereals and legumes as intercrops and in
rotation, crop-residue management and its effect
on percolation and retention of rain water,
population densities in sole and intercropped
stands, etc., will form a part of this program.
Niger. In 1977 a pearl millet breeder was posted
to the Tarna Research Station to work jointly
with the national program on millet improvement
and to expand ICRISAT's regional research
network on this major food crop. Close
collaboration with scientists in the region, particularly
in Upper Volta and Nigeria, will be
maintained. Emphasis will be placed on breeding
higher-yielding drought-tolerant shorter types of
plant that will be resistant to diseases and pests
and will grow well in higher plant densities.
Nigeria. A plant pathologist to work on the
diseases of millet and sorghum was appointed in
1977 and headquartered at the Institute for
Agricultural Research at Samaru. He will assist
the pearl millet breeder appointed there a year
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