ECARSAM is one of the ASARECA Networks, Programs and Projects (NPPs). ECARSAM strives to create synergy and effectiveness of national agricultural research systems (NARS) and stakeholders through networking. It generates and adopts appropriate technologies, knowledge and information to remove priority constraints to increased productivity, value addition and utilisation of sorghum and millets. The network endeavours to stimulate use of sorghum and millets for small and large scale industries, enhance information flow among stakeholders and strengthen capacity of NARS in the ASARECA member countries-Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

STRATEGIC VISION

To be a network of excellence contributing positively to increased economic growth, improved social welfare, and enhanced quality of environment in the Eastern and Central Africa region.

MISSION STATEMENT

To strengthen networking among Research for Development stakeholders for efficient utilization of resources to enhance productivity, value addition, and competitiveness of the ECA sorghum and millets system.

GOAL
Increased economic growth and improved livelihoods in the ECA while enhancing the quality of the environment

PURPOSE
Enhance productivity, value added and competitiveness of the Regional Sorghum and Millets system

RESULTS
Result 1: Demand driven sorghum and millets technologies/innovations generated and promoted
Result 2: Enabling regional and national policy options for transformation of sorghum and millets system facilitated
Result 3: Regional and national capacity for Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) in sorghum and millets system strengthened
Result 4: Availability of information on sorghum and millets system research and development enhanced

ECARSAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN provides a strategy to realize these results through the projects listed below in the order of prioritization by the ECARSAM stakeholders.

Result 1: Demand driven sorghum and millets technologies/innovations generated and promoted

High priority

1. Development, dissemination and promotion of integrated water management practices for increased productivity and livelihoods in drought stressed areas
2. Participatory, development, dissemination and promotion of high yielding sorghum varieties for specific end-use in different agro ecologies
3. Participatory, development, dissemination and promotion of high yielding millets varieties for specific end-use in different agro ecologies
4. Participatory, development, dissemination and promotion of integrated striga management option
5. Product diversification and promotion to enhance commercialisation of sorghum and millets
6. Development, dissemination and promotion of integrated post harvest technologies for increased incomes and food security
7. Enterprise development to establish and strengthen supply chain linkages for sorghum & millets
8. Development, dissemination and promotion of integrated nutrient management practices in sorghum and millets for increased productivity and income

Medium Priority
9. Participatory, development, dissemination and promotion of integrated disease management options for millets
10. Develop, adopt and disseminate processing and utilisation technologies related to total quality assurance
11. Conduct market research to identify and characterise existing and potential markets for diversity range of sorghum and millets products
12. Participatory, development, dissemination and promotion of IPM for stalk borers in sorghum

Low Priority
13. Participatory, development, dissemination and promotion of integrated disease management options for sorghum
14. Develop farmer responsive seed production and supply systems to promote adoption of sorghum and millets technologies for specified end use.

Result 2: Enabling regional and national policy options for transformation of sorghum and millets system facilitated

High Priority
1. Address policy constraints affecting production to consumption continuum of sorghum and millets

Result 3: Regional and national capacity for Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) in sorghum and millets system strengthened

Medium Priority
1. Explore innovative approaches to strengthen and sustain institutional capacity.

Result 4: Availability of information on sorghum and millets system research and development enhanced

Medium Priority
1. Assess and establish regional sorghum and millets information data-base to support development and dissemination of demand driven technologies for food security and commercialisation

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