Development of Stress Resistant Sorghum

Research and Development of Novel Multi-Stress Resistant Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Genotypes through Mutation Breeding Approach.

As one of the most important cereal crops in the world, Sorghum is particularly important for food security on the African continent. The plant also grows in semi-arid to arid areas where other crops do not necessarily thrive. Sorghum millet is a staple food and is the second most cultivated cereal in Ethiopia after corn. However, the cultivation of this important food and fodder crop has become more difficult in recent years due to climate change. Located in north-east Africa, Ethiopia has a predominantly tropical climate. Farmers cultivating Sorghum in the regions of Tigray, Wollo and Harerge face various challenges such as drought and striga weed which lead to substantial yield losses and hinder food security in the region. These challenges have been over intensified due to climate change over the past years. Additionally, the lack of access to improved seeds and limited knowledge on modern agricultural practices further exacerbate the problems faced by the target group in these regions. Four students from the Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology intend to develop new varieties of sorghum that are resistant to multiple stresses through a mutation breeding approach. By utilizing this approach, the project aims to create sorghum genotypes that can withstand various environmental stressors such as drought, striga weed, and aluminum toxicity. This will ultimately contribute to the improvement of sorghum crop productivity and resilience in challenging agricultural conditions. With this research the students can significantly reduce the risk of crop failure and thus improve agricultural productivity and food security especially in the face of the harsh climate change crisis.

Financing
12,000 € - fully financed! 100%
Payouts
4.500 € 37.5%
Project progress
Q1 / Q4 5%

Facts

  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Region Oromia, Amhara, Tigray
  • Project abbreviation: ETH-001
  • Project start / project end: June 2024 - May 2025
  • Project budget:  12.000 €
  • Donors: Innovation & Zukunft Stiftung, Cordes & Graefe Stiftung
  • Scholarship per person: 29.844,00 ETB per Student and Quarter
  • University: Addis Ababa University, Institute of Technology
  • Number of students: 4 PhD Students (2 female)
  • Supervisor: Dr. Tileye Feyissa
  • 3E4A-Coordinator: Ana Ndouop
  • Local partner: TaYA (formerly known as Talent Youth Association) Ethiopia

SDGs

Primary SDGs

We would like to thank the Innovation Future Foundation and Cordes & Graefe Foundation for their support!

Team

Abera

Takele

Beza

Kinfe

Helen

Gebremedhin

Tefera

Haptegiorgis

Supervisor

Prof.Tileye

Feyisa

Donors

Innovation Zukunft Foundation

Cordes & Graefe Foundation