IMPROVING FERTILIZATION METHODS AND CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM GLAUCUM) IN WEST AFRICA: A REVIEW

Highlights

● Constraints in cultivation and production of pearl millet in West Africa are summarized.

● Production systems and fertilization methods in pearl millet production are highlighted.

● Sustainable production needs integrated cropping systems and fertilizer use efficiency.

● A holistic approach is required to establish a strong collaboration among rural actors.

Abstract

West African countries are among the larger global millet producers but have low yields mainly due to the low quality of their marginal soils. The objectives of this work were to analyze the benefits and constraints of pearl millet production, to summarize the impact of different cropping systems and fertilization modes while proposing a holistic approach for sustainable production. The major constraints on millet yields are low rates or absence of fertilizers, unsuitable cropping systems, and the proliferation of pests and diseases. Intercropping with cowpea is a widely used cropping system in addition to crop rotation, monocropping and agroforestry systems. Microdosing is the best fertilization mode for West African smallholders. It is concluded that integrated systems (breeding new cultivars, intercropping and microdosing) in tied ridges or infiltration pit practices, sustained by the implementation of innovative approaches such as the ‘Science and Technology Backyards’ from China are a promising approach for increasing pearl millet production. In addition, policies such as land protection of the farmers and subsidies of inputs from the government and the effective involvement of farmers and extension officers are necessary in sustaining millet production in West Africa.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

integrated management system / pearl millet / Science and Technology Backyard / West Africa

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the China Scholarship Council, the CGCOC Group and China Agricultural University for providing study and research facilities and financial support.

Compliance with ethics guidelines

Philippe Yameogo, Saturnin Zigani, Xiaoqiang Jiao, Hongyan Zhang, and Junling Zhang declare that they have no conflicts of interest or financial conflicts to disclose. This article does not contain any study with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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