Hyderabad, Oct 15th: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has launched a new project that aims to increase food security for small farmers in dry land areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The project titled Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement (HOPE) of Sorghum and Millets in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia will be undertaken by 50 partners led by ICRISAT in ten countries of sub-Saharan Africa and four States in India. HOPE will increase small-scale farmer yields by 35 to 40 per cent during the first four years of the project, an ICRISAT release here today claimed.

Within ten years, the project should benefit more than two million households in these continents. Dr William D Dar, Director General of ICRISAT, in a statement said scientists estimate the yields could be doubled or even trebled from their current low levels if farmers use the right crop varieties, fertilizer and other management techniques. Capturing even a modest portion of these potential gains would generate major impacts in reducing food insecurity. The project will be managed by ICRISAT under an agreement between the Government of India and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).