Self Help in Ethiopia distributes seed stock of Triticale to farmers in it’s project areas.
A grain which is a cross breed between wheat and rye, Triticale is more robust than Ethiopia’s usual grain types of teff, wheat and barley. A further benefit of the new cereal is that it can deliver yields three to four times greater than its alternatives.
First introduced to the north of the country by the German development agency GTZ, Triticale also has a number of other benefits – including a greater resistance to drought, a tougher stem which can regenerate if grazed by animals, and a shorter maturing period – meaning that two crops can be produced each year if irrigation is available.
Introduced by Self Help to demonstration farmers in the Dodota project area, Triticale has been distributed to more than 750 farmers in the area.
One draw-back to the crop however is it’s limited marketability – because Triticale is grey, as opposed to the pure white of maize or teff, householders have been slow to embrace it as a staple alternative to their favoured flour. |
