Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
A sought-after and drought-tolerant Kenyan crop, little grown because its yields are so low, has gotten a boost with the release of a new hybrid variety.
Scientists in Kenya say it is the first country in Africa to develop a hybrid seed variety of finger millet, which they hope will supplement the country?s drought-hit main staple ? maize ? and help fight diabetes as a result of its low sugar content.
Finger millet is one of Kenya?s most important drought-tolerant cereals, but farmers have not expanded production much because the yield is low. Government records put the amount of land planted with finger millet at 65,000 hectares, despite rising demand which has led to the grain commanding premium prices in shops.
http://www.trust.org/item/20130917103218-xhvg1/?source=gep
Scientists in Kenya say it is the first country in Africa to develop a hybrid seed variety of finger millet, which they hope will supplement the country?s drought-hit main staple ? maize ? and help fight diabetes as a result of its low sugar content.
Finger millet is one of Kenya?s most important drought-tolerant cereals, but farmers have not expanded production much because the yield is low. Government records put the amount of land planted with finger millet at 65,000 hectares, despite rising demand which has led to the grain commanding premium prices in shops.
http://www.trust.org/item/20130917103218-xhvg1/?source=gep