Normal and nutritionally enhanced highland maize varieties: Quality Protein Maize variety G9 (QPM-G9) | Crop Management (Crop Varieties)
Description of the technology or innovation
Maize is a major crop in Eastern Africa region in terms of production, consumption and income-generation. Though the highland zones of the region are among the potential areas for maize production, very few improved varieties adapted to these ecologies have so far been released. Maize protein is generally, deficient in two essential amino acids: lysine and tryptophan. However, Quality Protein Maize (QPM), contains about 70–100% more of these amino acids than most conventional maize varieties. These amino acids are essential building blocks of protein in humans and mono-gastric animals. As a result, QPM can alleviate the malnutrition related problems in farming communities in the region. In order to realize this, there was need to develop and disseminate disease-resistant, high-yielding and well-adapted normal and QPM varieties to the highland agro-ecologies of Eastern and Central Africa (ECA)with an altitudinal range of 1800 to 2600 meters above sea level (masl).
The ultimate beneficiaries of the technology(highland maize varieties) are the farming families who benefit mainly through enhanced food security and household incomes that the new productive maize variety brings. Studies conducted during the project have indicated that in major maize-producing and consuming areas, home cultivation and use of QPM in children’s diets can reduce or prevent growth retardation. Other important beneficiaries include: the food industry through increased production of maize-based food products (including emergency food relief rations); the seed industry, which benefits from an increased range of varieties and sales; and the nation which also benefits from increased national maize production, which helps to meet internal demand and reduce dependence on external purchases and food aid.
Assessment/reflection on utilization, dissemination & scaling out or up approaches used
Demonstration plots and farmer research groups were the key scaling-up approaches that were used to disseminate the technology. Key considerations for effective scaling-up are adequate supply of seed for the improved varieties and other inputs. The current policy implemented by the Ethiopian government for their growth and transformation programme places more emphasis on promotion of agricultural technologies. However, these are constrained by the prevailing effects of climate change (fluctuation of rainfall) and increased prices of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides). This calls for adoption of conservation agriculture and provision of favorable market access to small-scale producers as the major incentive for scaling-up the technology in future.
Current situation and future scaling up
Economic Considerations
This group of technologies can deliver improved yields in maize among the adopting farmers. The technologies therefore have a potential to increase profitability of the maize enterprise thus improving household incomes. The technology also has the potential to improve food and nutrition security. The technologies are affordable with cost of fertilizer and seed acquisition perhaps being its biggest investment.
Gender considerations
Use of Striga-resistant sorghum varieties with fertilizer and water harvesting technologies likely to have positive implications for different gender categories, especially women and children. This group of technologies is particularly designed to support increased intake of proteins through fortification of staple foods. This is a key intervention for supporting baby-feeding programs. However, it’s important to consider the impact of adoption of high-yielding maize varieties on women’s labour in the field, and during postharvest operations and processing.
Contact details
Kassa Yihun;
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR);
Ambo Plant Protection Research Centre, Highland Maize ResearchProject;
P. O. Box 37;
Ambo, Ethiopia.
Tel:+251-11236 59 28
Mob: +251-91145 98 91
Email: gudeta2003@yahoo.com
Additional information
The varieties were released with complete package of information on recommendations. The communication products were produced as tracts, leaflets, proceedings, posters, journal articles, and were also aired by the mass media.
Glossary
Ngaboyisonga, C, Njoroge, K, Kirubi, D, Githiri, SM. 2006. Effectsof low nitrogen and drought on grain yield and endosperm hardness of qualityprotein maize single cross hybrids. In p 137. Proceedings of the InternationalPlant Breeding Symposium. Mexico City, Mexico.
Nyanamba, T, De Groote, H, Wahome, R. 2003. Quality Protein Maizefor the Feed Industry in Kenya. Poster paper presented at the InternationalAgricultural Economics Association Durban, August 2003.