Developing the Millet and Sorghum Value Chain from Genderred Trait Preference study in Burkina Faso

Prioritizing the different traits and cultivar demand of farmers and other actors in the cereal value chain has been the challenge faced by the breeding program in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study aims to assign concrete weights to different profile of actors-related constraints and trait preferences by focusing on the value chain studies; paying more attention on gender related aspects that the value chain of Millet and Sorghum encounter. Drowing from mix method, using the value chain approach combined with the Self Identity approach, this paper uses trait prioritization to assess producers/consumers, traders and processors’ preferred traits in three agro-ecological regions of Burkina Faso targeting 712 respondents, with 389 female respondents, or 46.75% of total sample size, 12 focus groups and one participatory workshop. The findings show that despite existing efforts for inclusive agriculture, the social construction and allocated roles have shaped the varietal traits preferences. It appears that the desired traits are more related to one specific position which relate to one identity on the value chain. Value chain actors’ options and choices then depend on either they are farmers, processors, and traders with specific challenges in relation to their professions. Such professions impact these actors’ preferences.&nbsp

Genotype x Environment Interactions and Stability of Grain Yield of Maize Hybrids across Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian Agro-ecological Zones in Burkina Faso

Maize is an important staple crop for millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and, particularly in Burkina Faso, where it ranks first among cereals since 2020. Available maize varieties are low yielding. To enhance maize production SEMAFORT, a seed company founded recently in Burkina Faso, introduced three-way hybrids. The present investigation was performed to assess 128 hybrids in 2018 and the best performing hybrids for genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions in 2019. The study was conducted at one location (Farako-Ba) during the first year of evaluation using an alpha lattice design and in five locations during the second year using a randomized block design. The second year of the study was conducted in two different agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso. The data were subjected to genotype and genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis using GenStat statistical package. The analysis revealed four mega-environments which discriminated the hybrids according to yield potential. In each mega-environment, the best yielding hybrids were identified and will be further tested and possibly released for production in specific areas. The most stable genotype in the highest yielding and most stable environment was SX8-121. It could be grown across Sudan and Sudano-Sahelian zones of Burkina Faso