Demand-Driven Technologies for Sustainable Maize ... - IITA

311tons. At a grain price of 160 US$/ton, this amount represents 11-42million US$. The adoption rate of this technology will determine howsoon the farmers benefi t from the technology. On the basis of theresults obtained from the farmers’ fi elds, however, an adoption rate of25-50% can be expected, resulting in an expected benefi t of 2.8 to20.5 million US$ per annum.Further researchDespite the advantages of using the IR-maize seed coating technologyto control Striga infestation and damage on maize, it has somedrawbacks. When very heavy rains follow planting, the herbicide getsleached and washed away, thus making the technology less effective.Also, after planting when the soil is dry or when a dry spell occursimmediately or soon after planting, emergence may be drasticallyreduced. Studies that could correct the drawbacks, such as herbicideslow-release formulations, are presently in progress.Farmers in the Striga-prone area do not regularly purchaseimproved seed, often because of fi nancial constraints. It is thereforevery important to demonstrate the technology to the farmers as soonas possible, to allay their fears and assure them of its profi tability.Moreover, collaboration with micro-credit organizations might improveadoption rates substantially. Accurate impact assessment depends onthe quality of the data. It is important that crop loss due to Striga beaccurately estimated, as well as the yield increases of the herbicideresistant maize under farmer-managed conditions.Finally, the target area for this technology in East Africa has poor soilfertility, and farmers apply little or no fertilizer to the maize crop. To fullyrealize the potential benefi t of the technology, efforts should be madeto combine it with appropriate soil fertility management practices.ConclusionsThe use of IR-maize seed coating technology increased maize grainproduction and reduced the number of Striga seed and plants per unitland area. The technology is relatively cheap, and marginal analysisindicated good returns to the investment. This technology should beintegrated with other methods of Striga control to effectively depletethe Striga seed bank in the long run. Further research is needed toaddress various drawbacks of the technology, including slow-releaseformulations that could reduce the rate of leaching of the herbicideunder heavy rains and scorching under dry spells, deployment ofresistant varieties and long-term economic impact assessments. Thesuccess of the IR-maize seed coating technology will largely dependon the existence of a dynamic seed sector to process and market trueIR-maize coated seed.