The potential role of sorghum in enhancing food security in semi-arid eastern Kenya: A review
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Date
2013
Authors
Mwadalu, Riziki
Mwangi, Maina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Applied Biosciences
Abstract
Successive droughts in Kenya compounded with other socio-economic constraints have led to persistently
unstable and declining agricultural productivity in semi-arid eastern Kenya. This has given rise to the need to
find coping strategies that would include growing alternative crops that are drought tolerant and thus suitable for
the areas. Research in Kenya and elsewhere has shown that sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) has the
potential to end severe food insecurity in ASALs due to its tolerance to drought and ability to thrive under a wide
range of soils. However, research and government policy in Kenya have shown a continual inclination to maize
production in these areas though the crop is regarded a high risk option due to poor adaptation especially to the
low rainfall. This paper reviews the potential of sorghum for improving food security in ASALs of Kenya with
specific focus on semi-arid eastern Kenya. This will contribute to the ongoing debate to inform private and
public sector policy and investments for increasing production of sorghum and other drought tolerant crops in
the ASALs as a way of alleviating food insecurity and poverty
Description
Research Paper
Keywords
ASALs, drought, sorghum, food security, poverty
Citation
Journal of Applied Biosciences 71:5786– 5799