National sorghum and millet crop improvement program, Yemen; final report

Final contractor report covers the period 1/15/77-5/31/81. Significant accomplishments were made in initiating a sorghum improvement program, with lesser progress made in millet improvement. A continuing study was made of sorghum and millet production and of Yemeni farming practices. Four years of field testing were carried out on several thousand varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, maize, and sudan grass. Locally adapted sorghum varieties were developed which yielded twice as much as native varieties. A collection of 4,500 sorghum varieties was made, from which 2,500 were multiplied for later use. Over 50 potentially superior varieties were tested at 18 locations; cooperators identified varieties resistant to the root parasite,striga, and to high winds. Seven varieties were selected for release to Yemeni farmers and 13 varieties adapted for flat fields and combine harvesting were given to Yemeni researchers. Superior adapted seeds were shared with other research programs. Cropping practices research included identification of 19 plant diseases, 22 weed families, and 45 insect pests; limited tests and demonstrations of control methods were made. A survey of Yemeni grain drying and storage practices revealed no serious problems. Facilities at the Sana"a experimental farm and the Al Jaroubah research station were improved. On-the-job and formal training was given to local technicians, one of the two Yemeni counterparts received U.S. training, and an Arabic-language agricultural training program was designed. Cooperation with other projects was extensive. The contractor recommends funding a follow-on project in light of the high potential for increased grain production. Increased emphasis must be put on formal training of Yemeni students, and communications among USAID/Y, YARG, and the contractor must be improved. The YARG should guarantee provision of a permanent research site. Also recommended are implementation of the 1981 planting plan and release of superior varieties to cooperating donors to prevent loss of germplasm.