ICRISAT co-releases pearl millet and sorghum hybrids in Zimbabwe

These breakthrough varieties mark a significant step towards enhancing food security and climate resilience

ICRISAT, in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe’s Crop Breeding Institute (CBI), has successfully co-released Zimbabwe’s first two Pearl Millet Hybrid varieties (PMH 1 and PMH 2) and two new Sorghum Hybrid varieties (SH1 and SH2). These breakthrough varieties mark a significant step towards enhancing food security and climate resilience, particularly for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe’s drylands.

The hybrids are specifically developed to excel in Zimbabwe’s semi-arid conditions, offering substantially higher yields compared to the older open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) traditionally used by farmers. In addition to their drought tolerance, these hybrids present opportunities to boost farmer incomes through diverse applications, including food production, animal feed, and industrial uses such as brewing.

The release of these hybrids aligns with the Government of Zimbabwe’s policy to promote small grains as a cornerstone for climate change adaptation and food security. This milestone also reflects commitments made during the Traditional Grains Conference held in Bulawayo earlier this year and the Launch of the Smart Food Africa Initiative in Harare.

The Honorable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development in Zimbabwe, engaged in discussions with Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim and Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT, underscoring the importance of strategic partnerships, innovative product development, agro-ecological mapping, and robust financial support. This collaboration has been instrumental in reaching this significant milestone.