The Savannah Agriculture Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI), with funding support from CIMMYT-AVISA project, has introduced six high-yielding, drought-resistant pearl millet varieties to farmers in the Awaradoone community of the Talensi District in the Upper East Region.
Five of the six varieties, developed and released in 2015, are designed to help farmers adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and pests, offering a more resilient and profitable option for millet cultivation.
The sixth variety is a hybrid being introduced to the farmers for the first time in Ghana.
The showcased varieties were Akad-kom, Kanaati, Naad-Kohblug, WAAPP Nara, Afribeh-Naara (all OPVs), and Nafagnon (hybrid), were presented at a demonstration site in Awaradoone.
According to Dr Peter Asungre, a plant breeder based at the CSIR-SARI Manga station, these new millet varieties mature between 65-80 days, significantly faster than traditional late millet, which typically takes up to 120 days to mature.
Speaking to Citi News at the demonstration site, Dr Asungre encouraged farmers to adopt these improved varieties, emphasising their high yield and resistance to common threats such as pests. 
“These varieties are designed to withstand drought and pest infestations, which have been major challenges for millet farmers, especially in the wake of climate change,” he noted.
Mathew Sulemana, Talensi District Director of Agriculture, acknowledged that maize production had overtaken millet cultivation in the district due to the low yields associated with traditional millet varieties.
He expressed optimism that the introduction of these improved varieties would revive interest in millet farming and boost production in the area.
Farmers at the event were given the opportunity to select their preferred varieties for the next farming season.
A farmer, Azure Mark, shared his excitement, stating, “We have been struggling with millet cultivation because of pests, birds, and low yields but with these new varieties, we have hope that our farming business will improve.”
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