Atlas of Sorghum Production in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Grain sorghum is a major crop in many parts of Africa that is noted for its versatility and diversity. It is adapted over a wide range of precipitation and temperature and is produced at sea level to above 2000 m altitude. In eastern and southern Africa, it is primarily a crop of resource-poor, small-scale farmers and is typically produced under adverse conditions such as low input use and marginal lands. There are numerous biotic and abiotic constraints to production. The grain and stover are used in many different ways with localized preferences. Much information is needed to effectively address the problems and opportunities of this diverse crop. The Atlas of Sorghum Production in Eastern and Southern Africa presents information on sorghum in nine countries to serve information needs of researchers, extension and rural development specialists, policy makers, and emergency relief personnel. It accounts for 85% of the sorghum production on an area basis, or 3,400,000 ha, from Ethiopia south to Mozambique with most of the uncovered production in Somalia (FAOSTAT, 2008). Numerous researchers and others knowledgeable of sorghum in their country contributed information and expert opinions for the Atlas. The Atlas presents information in maps and tables for 39 sorghum production areas in nine countries addressing production constraints, cropping systems, management, uses, preferences, gender roles, and marketing.