المحاصيل النقدية
IMPROVING FOOD CROP PRODUCTION
ON
SMALL FARMS IN AFRICA
ABSTRACT
Considerations needed when breeding varieties of sorghum and millet for low-risk and lost-cost small farming conditions are: stability of yield (as or more important than higher yields); early maturity and drought tolerance; reasonable tolerance to pests and diseases, as pesticides generally uneconomical; grow relatively well without fertilisers; must have acceptable quality and taste. The plant breeder should formulate a clear concept of the plant type that best serves the farmers' needs and taste, rather than select whatever is there and then see whether the farmer likes it or not.
