Integration of sorghum cultivation into production systems of Latin America

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Agronomic Practices

Applied

Technological

2024

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Executive Summary

The project focuses on the sustainable intensification of agricultural systems in the Dry Corridor of Central America by incorporating sorghum genotypes and other forage cereals adapted to each environment to increase the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of the region's production systems. The proposal promotes a regional alliance to achieve intensive and sustainable agriculture. The project is addressed through four components: 1) identifying the baseline and characterizing the target environments through the analysis of climatic and soil variables, 2) evaluating the genotypes in the selected environments, 3) developing an online platform to disseminate results and genotype recommendations, and 4) transferring knowledge and results to farmers, agricultural technicians, advisors, and students. Rural producers will have the opportunity to include crops with high tolerance to water supply constraints in their production systems, with genotypes and management adapted to the different target environments identified. The project is funded by the New Zealand Government as part of its contribution to the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA).

The technological solution

Through knowledge, technology, innovation, and network collaboration, it will be possible to increase productivity levels, sustainability, and reduce uncertainty in response to severe water deficit events affecting the region.

Results

A sorghum cultivar evaluation network will be developed, and the technological baseline for each member country of the network will be established.
Characterization of the target environments, the cultivars evaluated in the different environments, and the interaction between both environments and cultivars.
Development of an online platform with cultivar recommendations and yield estimations for each environment.
Transfer and communication of the results and knowledge acquired regarding the environmental characterization and the performance of the evaluated cultivars.

Beneficiaries

This initiative will positively impact productivity levels, sustainability, and the reduction of uncertainty in response to severe water deficit events affecting the region. The direct final beneficiaries are approximately 2,000 small and medium-scale producers in the Central American Dry Corridor, as well as other regions of Latin America (Colombia, Peru). In the case of the Dry Corridor, 11.5 million people live in rural municipalities in the region, with approximately 50% engaged in the production of crop grains. This project focuses on this latter group.

Sustainable Development Goals

This project actively contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting more equitable, resilient, and sustainable regional development.