Dakpemyili, 14th September 2023 — The CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) recently organized a field day in Dakpemyili in the East Gonja district. This event was a platform to showcase a farmer’s field where the high-yielding groundnut variety, SARINUT 2, had been cultivated. The field day attracted farmers from neighboring communities, eager to witness the impressive performance of SARINUT 2 compared to their own varieties.
Mr. Abdul-Rashid Issah, the Seed Scientist for CSIR-SARI, shed light on the significance of SARINUT 2 in the northern savannah ecologies. He stated, “Extensive research efforts were dedicated to finding groundnut varieties that could thrive in these ecologies. In 2018, we proposed the release of SARINUT 1 and SARINUT 2. During our field demonstrations, SARINUT 2 quickly gained favor among farmers.”
Several factors have contributed to the preference for SARINUT 2 among local farmers. First and foremost, SARINUT 2 is known for its early maturity, typically taking just 90 to 95 days to reach full maturation. Additionally, it boasts an impressive yield, averaging around 2.4 tons per hectare. Its suitability for culinary purposes, especially in soups and groundnut paste, has garnered high praise from local communities. Notably, SARINUT 2 is rich in protein content, further enhancing its appeal to farmers.
In the field, SARIN 2 has demonstrated its resilience, tolerating both early-season conditions and drought conditions. This variety’s erect growth pattern has also simplified the harvesting process, reducing the need for labor-intensive manual techniques. These attributes collectively contributed to the rapid adoption of SARINUT 2 among local farmers.
Mr. Adam Heskaya, a field officer of AGRITRADE, highlighted the shortcomings of farmer saved seeds. He pointed out that these farmers saved seeds faces several challenges, including susceptibility to diseases, vulnerability to drought conditions, and significantly lower yields compared to SARINUT 2. For context, when SARINUT 2 is cultivated on an acre, it can yield up to an impressive 20 bags. In stark contrast, the Chinese variety, even with the best agronomic practices, typically yields a meager two bags per acre.
The farmer whose field was visited during the field day, Mr. Richard Damani, also shared his perspective on SARINUT 2. He emphasized its superiority, stating, “SARINUT 2 is a very good seed, and it has a ready market. When you have SARINUT 2, you have a good market advantage. It outperforms other groundnut varieties in terms of market demand.”
The field day in Dakpemyili served as a powerful testament to the remarkable qualities of SARINUT 2. Its robust performance and the tangible benefits it offers to farmers have solidified its status as a game-changer in groundnut cultivation within the region. As local farmers continue to witness the outstanding results of SARINUT 2, it is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing food security and livelihoods in the area.