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Maize farmers in East Africa have a new basket of options – Validated RNRRS Output

Published by:
Publication date
19/05/2008
Language:
English
Type of Publication:
Other
Focus Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Focus Topic:
Agricultural Value Chains / Agri-Businesses
Type of Risk:
Biological & environmental
Type of Risk Managment Option:
Risk reduction/mitigation
Commodity:
Crops
Source
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/r4d/PDF/Outputs/ResearchIntoUse/CPP04.pdf
Author
Riu

This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID’s 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.

Summary for Project titles: R7566: Management strategies for maize grey leaf spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis) in Kenya and Zimbabwe and R8453: Promotion of an IPM strategy for maize grey leaf spot (GLS) in East Africa.

Farmers in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are using a new ‘basket of options’ to fight a maize disease know as grey leaf spot (GLS). They tested and approved the practices in farmer field schools, and posters, leaflets, radio programmes, videos and a television documentary are helping to spread the new knowledge. Seed companies are also using a rapid screening method to select locally available varieties with good levels of resistance. A wide range of stakeholders in the East African region, including individual farmers, farmer groups, seed companies, community-based organisations, NGOs and researchers, is using these new options. More than 20,000 households are benefiting from the package, and demand for the promotional materials continues to grow.

The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact, Annex. Attached PDF (15 pp.) taken from the CD.