Integrating a Circular Approach in Sorghum Breeding and Value Chain

This is a presentation that Alexander Bombom delivered during the 10th Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The project coordinator presented the good practices and success stories related to the  identification of the available diversity of sorghum through a participatory evaluation and selection with farmers and the  development of a value chain for local sorghum varieties. This was one of the outcome so the project Exploring wide crosses derived crop biodiversity (sorghum x maize) for climate resilience and food and nutrition security in Eastern and Southern Africa funded in the 4th project cycle of the Benefit Sharing Fund (BSF) of the International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN)

Alexander Bombom shared the innovative approaches for strengthening the value chains of PGRFA, in particular for sorghum, and described the circular approach used in the project and how these activities addressed the limitations in the value chains of sorghum and millets. He focused on the research undertaken to identify qualities in improved millets that have the potential to meet niche market needs, such as millet-based lager beers. Mr Bombom also illustrated how this approach ensured livelihood opportunities for small-scale famers and how working with all stakeholders in the value chain- researchers, farmers and the private sector-contributed to the success of the project