Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Participatory plant breeding to develop and release millet varieties for rain-fed areas of Sudan

Participatory plant breeding trials were conducted between 2010 and 2012 under the supervision of plant breeders of three agricultural research stations in traditional rain-fed areas of Kordofan and Darfur States of Sudan, with the aim to develop and release improved millet varieties for these areas. The trial consisted of two varieties co-developed by a farmer called Wad el-Bashir based on his local varieties of millet in collaboration with a plant breeder from Elobied research station, and a released variety called ‘Ashana’. The resulting varieties were registered under the name of the farmer Wad el-Bashir as type of non-monetary benefit-sharing. The registration of local farmer-developed varieties has enabled the commercial production and marketing of these varieties and allowed to produce and distribute seed on a legal basis. These achievements have led to an increase of the cultivation area of millet, which has resulted in a significant improvement in food security nationally.
DOI10.71477/QK1Z-FT04
Most relevant categories
  1. Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’ contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
Also relevant categories
Institution/organizationGovernment organization; Research Centers and Academic Institution
Provision of Art. 9 addressedArt. 9.2b; Art. 9.3
TypesTechnical; Administrative
CountriesSudan
RegionsNear East
KeywordsBenefit-sharing; Food security; Genetic resources; Local varieties; PGRFA; Seed system
Resource linkhttps://www.fao.org/3/ca8212en/ca8212en.pdf
ITPGRFA (2025) “Participatory plant breeding to develop and release millet varieties for rain-fed areas of Sudan” ITPGRFA Secretariat, Inventory of national measures, best practices and lessons learned from the realization of Farmers’ Rights, as set out in Article 9 of the International Treaty. doi:10.71477/QK1Z-FT04