Kenneth Opare-Obuobi
NATIONAL COLLABORATION: Concern Universal (NGO), University of Ghana, KNUST UDS and SeedPAG
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION: ICRISAT and IITA
RESEARCH AREA
My research focus is on the improvement of grain sorghum as a staple cereal crop in northern Ghana. My emphasis is to develop and release high yielding varieties that are stable in terms of their yield potential for increased production and productivity to enhance the livelihood of sorghum farmers in Guinea and Sudan agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Also to develop varieties and technologies that will mitigate biotic and abiotic stress in sorghum production to improve sorghum production in Guinea and Sudan agro-ecology. This is being achieved through the use of both conventional and molecular breeding (marker-assisted selection) methods to improve the ability of the crop to withstand or tolerate biotic and abiotic stress which hamper on production.
Develop, release and introduce sweet sorghum varieties that are high in sugar content (Brix) and also produces an appreciable amount of grains for bioethanol production. This is to diversify the energy needs of the country from total reliance on fossil fuel.
TECHNOLOGIES/INNOVATIONS DEVELOPED AND MAKING IMPACT ON LIVES AT VARIOUS SOCIETAL OR SOCIAL LEVEL
- Trained farmers on good agronomic practices in sorghum production mainly in sorghum producing area in northern Ghana. The training has increased sorghum yield from an average of 800 kg/ha to over 1,200 kg/ha according to the Sorghum Value Chain Project report for 2015. This has been possible through the dissemination of high yielding improved sorghum varieties (Kapaala and Dorado) to farmers. These varieties have now become available and accessible to farmers across the agro-ecology through private seed producers.
IMPACT OF RESEARCH ON COMMUNITIES
- An increase in the livelihood of sorghum farmer households through the cultivation of high yielding varieties.
- The capacity of sorghum farmers have been enhanced through training on sorghum production