A brief on wheat and agricultural research in fourteen countries of the East and Central African sub- regions

ITED NATIONS

ECONOMIC

SOCIAL COUNCIL AND

Distr.

LIMITED

B./CKT.14/AGRIP/4

30 October I969 Original % ENGLISH

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA Sectoral Meeting of the East ' and Central African Countries

on Agriculture -.

Nairobi, 8-12 December 1969

A BRIEF Oil WHEAT AID AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN FOURTEEN COUNTRIES

OF THE EAbT AND CENTRAL AFRICAN SUB-REGIONS

M69-2729

E/CJ,14/AGRIP/4

WHEAT IMPROVEMENT AND .PRODUCTION" IN THE

EASTERN-CENTRAL AFRICAN GROUP OF COUNTRIES*

The countries included in this group ares-

■The Central African sub-region -

The East . African .sub-region

Burundi? Rwanda? Democratic Republic

of....Congo? Congo (Brazzaville)? Chad

Central African'" Re public.'

Ethiopia?. Sudan? Kenya., Uganda?

Tanzania.,. Zambia? Malawi, Somalia.

AREA? YIELD? AMD PRODUCTION . . .

Area ( 000 ha.)? Yield (kg/ha.)5 Production ( 000 m.t.)

Burundi Chad

' Congo Dem. Republic Ethiopia

Kenya Rwanda Sudan . Tanzania

Area

12 . ■ . 2

365

4 122 3 13 23

1952/J6

Yield

620 1,080

■880 500 1?000 740 1,430 680

Produc tion

7 2

I84

4

121 2

1916

Area

12 2 4 432 122 ■

1

57 34

1966 Yield

680 . 1,800

750 730 l?040 770 l?200 1.150

Produe- ' tion

8-

4 . 3 313 127 1

69 .

39 It is clear from the table above that- the major wheat producing countries in this group are Ethiopia? Kenya, and Sudan. Therefore this paper is confined to a more detailed analysis of the wheat situation in these countries3' and just a brief note on Tanzania? Burundi? Rwanda?

Congo (Kinshasa)? and Chad.

ETHTOPXA " * ' -:

Wheat widely grows on the highlands of Ethiopia especially where the climate is temperate,' The soils most- suitable for wheat production in Ethiopia range (by colour) from reddish brown to black soil, These types of soil are most pre.ira.lent In the following geographical locations between

Quorem and Quiha (l2j-0-l^T lat.j 39~40° -long,)- ^est + East of Addis Ababa (38°E-40°E long; 8°I-c%°E lat.). South of Fiche (9°£F-10°3tf lat.5 38°-39°B long.). Southwest of Asella 139°-39j-°E long.? 8°J-8J°F lat.)

This Note prepared by the Field Crops Branch? Plant Production

and Protection Division FAOS Rome? in collaboration with the ECA/FAO

Joint Agriculture Division.

Page 2

Generally speaking wheat is more commonly grown in all parts of

Ethiopia where black soils predominate. ■ •

According to.L.F. Murphy's Agriculture in Ethiopia the yield for wheat in relation to soil colour is givenas follows!-

Table 1 ■: Suieat yields for different types of...soils (1963-1965),

Yield

Year I^pe. of soil Location '-(Quintals/ha)

1963 Dark Gray Brown Fiche 6-1.3 1964 Dark Gray Brown Clay Fiohe. ■ ■ . 10-12 1965 Black Soil SE & HE of 11-13

Addis Ababa

\ "———^————

Source! L.F. ^^y- ' A^i culture in Ethiopia," (College of Agriculture,

;■■ ■; Alamaya,- Harrar, )

Research in the various agricultural experiment stations-in Ethiopia has convincingly shown that the local ^heat variety is m many respects

inferior^ imported varieties (lower yield, weaker stems, more susceptible to rust-, short stalks, small heads etc.) and retires to ho replaced pr

upgraded.

WHEAT RESEARCH COJffLUCTSD BY THE RiAjSARCH INSTITUTE (IAR)

' Wheat'research: by the Institute of Agricultural Research mainly ., deals witt ,the testing- of varieties for yield,,adaptability and

resistance to diseases. . , ■ ' ■ . ■ ,

Variety trials were made by the IAR in 1966. These trials included

the International Spring »heat Yanetal trial from Mexxco (Creapo 63), liLari To, and Mendos) yielded 19.O, 18.1 and 18.1 auintala-per hectare^ ■

respectively. . ,

1 On the National Yield Trial (ffl) A.izo- and .Balamayo -gave^the hi|he,t yields (21.8 and 19a quintals per hectare respectively) iij a trial ot

12 wheat varieties. ■ _ ■ . . ■ . ■

In 1966 Miero rilieat trial, variety.908 1 M.P14.-127 C - 5 C.3" 0

gave the highest yield of 24*3 quintals per hectare, ,,

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Page 3

The Institute of Agricultural- Hesearch (Afi) further continued its

wheat trials on International Spring -riheat in 1967 • Fifty other varieties were introduced from.Mexico and tried along with previous varieties. 'The three varieties which gave "best yields in 1966 (Crespo 63, iTianari 60,

and Mendos) did not do as well when matched vrith the newly (1967) introduced

International Spring Wheat varieties from Mexico. Out of the fifty (50) varieties introduced to iithiopia from Mexico, highest yields were obtained

from Carazinho (18 quintals per hectare) , Gaboto (17-5 quintals per hectare)., and Banza (16.7 quintals per hectare). Further trials at the Experiment

Station in Holleta revealed that there is a definite response to fertilizer^

particularly on the red soil. Inconsistent results were observed on1the brorfn soil. All trial varieties did better on tne red soil than on the . brown soil.

Better results were obtained at the Bako -Experiment Station of the;

Institute of Agricultural Research. The highest and lowest yielding-

varieties in a three-year trial (1965-67) are summarized on Table 2,

Table 2 Results of wheat variety trials at Bako yields in quintals

per hectare (1965-1967)

Year Variety Highest

yield Variety Lowe s t yield 1965 Sup. Montana 29.6

x Sup. Kenya

1966 Kenya 22.4

1967 Willet & Lermo . ^.6

Flocor

Yucatana 54 Sup.■Montana x &up0 Kenya

IS o

19«7 5-1

Source s Agricultural Research Institute, Addis Ababa

i\[otes[__ It must be understood that I967 was an unusual year for wheat yields in Bako. Yields of wheat trials were considerably lower in I967 due to high rainfall and heavy rust iafestation.

Wheat research^ at Chilalo agricultural development _unit. (CABU)

Interesting results were obtained at the.CABU Trial Centre. After variety trials and1 observations, GABU gave the following conclusions and

recommendations s varieties such as (LRXiJTO-B)j An33 8156", and Pen jam 0 62

have the potential- for doubling the low yield ^iven by Kenya 1 and other local varieties.. Kenya 13 which is an imported widely distributed variety in Ethiopia, proved:a poor yielder and highly susceptible to strip rust- Even Romany ,* Kintana Frontana x i^ayo 48? Yakatana 54 and Sups ema" "Kenya x Yaqui 48 are superior to Kenya 1 and other tested local varieties.

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Page 4

Romany did" test wnen planted early (July- 28) whereas the yields of Kenya 1' and Kintana Frontana x "Mayo'48 .were not influenced much ."by the^

time of.planting. From the trials it seems that varieties susceptible" to leaf diseases ;vfill do better if planted late, whereas resistant varieties

should be planted early -beginning o.f. July. . ; ' ... ,

. CADU has also' recommended the -replacement of Kenya 1 (on a national

level) with Kintana ^Frontana x Mayo 48, Xakatana 54? and (LBXEF-.IO-B)-

,An3 8156. ; ■ ■ ;*'. . ■ . . ;: " ■ : _ ... ■.. . / t

"tfHtiAT Kii&^AKCH AT COLLj<iG£ OF AGHICULJUJft;, DEBRjE ZEIT

More than 200 varieties and selections were introduced and tried at . the Agricultural-Experiment Station in Lebre Zeit. Out of the 200 variet ies were selected for seed multiplication and distribution programme« The

nine outstanding varieties ares . - ■■ „

1. Millet x Lermo — from Mexico 2. Yakatana 54 , - " "

."■ . ...3. ^JCenyarFrohtana x .Mayo *■ . from Colombia- :-"- ■■ ■ . ■

4- ■ (Rio negro 2 Redman-Egypt x Yaqui 50)--x Lee Frontana ■—~;-

from Mexico - .' ■ , .

..5- Timit.ein .Kenya 58.x Gaba. -r.. from Mexico,.- - 60 Lup Kenya x Yaqui 48 - from Mexico

. .7- Supremo-Montana x Suprejno -Kenya .,- .from Mexico ■

. 8B Kenya 1 - from Kenya ■ :

9. Kenya 5 - " "

All-of the selected varieties are hard seed Spring Wheats except1 Kenya 1? which is a hard white Spring >heat. ' Winter wheats fail to flower in Ethiopia due to the mild temperature during the growing season. However?

Spring i'iheat is'well adapted to the highlands- of Ethiopia*-

Rate and date of seeding experiments were also conducted at Debre

Zeit Experiment Station-and at Alamaya. Generally 70 to- 10'5 kg per • hectare of seed planted in*early'to"mid-July gave the highest yield for the Ethiopian mixed wheat«■ Introduced whoat ,out—yielded the local

Ethiopian varieties in variety, tests and1 in the rate and date of seeding

tests* - "

Results? conclusions and recommendations of the Agricultural .iijxperi- ment Station at Lebre Zeit closely correspond to-1 those of the Chilalo

Agricultural Development- Unit ('GADU)," The station recommends Kintana

Frontana'x Mayo 48 and Yakatana'54 as the most promising varieties. J3oth of these varieties ■ are' adaptable to most regions in .Ethiopia according to the Deb re Zeit Experiment ""btation." The btation also recommends ' , ' "

Frocor x (YT x. LT)1 Sib as being goo'd for low rainfall areas, ' ■

Page 5

WHEAT RESEARCH BY THE EXTENSION SERVICE DEPARTMENT OP. THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

Observations of wheat varieties by the Extension Department in I965 showed that out of all varieties tested Supremo Montana x Supremo Kenya out-yielded all other varieties in Ethiopia by about 25 per cent.

The Department is experimenting on response of fertilizer on wheat.

Results obtained so far are very promising % between 10-15 quintals per hectare.; is common when using JIPK? according to the Extension Department.

Throughout Ethiopia.over 50 wheat trials are bein^ carried out this

year (I968-I969) to find out the adaptability of 15 different varieties

introduced. . Table 3.shows the increase in yield when using fertilizer.

Table 3= Fertiliser inputs and increased yields (control yields 9»9l)

Increases in yield

Fertilizer. ■--,/•.

■ ■ quintals/ha

. ff . + 2,56

P ■ ■ +4-26

HP . +7-87

+ 8.24

Source g Extension Service Department ? Ministry of Agriculture,

Addis Ababa.

Tne varieties - Willet x Lermo and Kenya Fontana x Mayo 48 were found to be best yielders when using-fertilizer* ■ ■ "

IMPORTS AM) EXPORTS OF WHEAT AMD rfHEAT FLOUR .

Ethiopia imports wheat (including spelt? meslin and unmilled)

more than it exports.

The breakdown of the trade is summarized in Table 4-

Page 6

Table.4-' Imports export .of wheat

Quantity (tons) Value (000 Eth.$) Year I965-I967

Year

Imports

Imports '

.1965 1966

1967

1965

1966

1967

Quantity Value

Meslin and u'nmilled wheat

• 5,777-9 ■

8,262,4

Meals meslin and flour of wheat

13., 889,8

28,601;! - 20,890,9

fflaeat (spelt 9 meslin & unmilled.)

1,319*4

2,099.7

21-3

2,390.2

4,7^6.1

Exports

Exports

Source s

1965

1966

1967

,; , .

■" ■ 1965 - ■

1966

.. .1967

Statistical

0.2

—

14.0

■Meal-, ■meslin and flour ■ of "wheat" "

■:-.--■ _

12.7

■24.4

Abstract , 1967-1968, Central Statist:

0.

3-

6^

8.

.ca

0

7

3

5

1 Offie

- Addis Ababao ' j

1

MULTIPLICATION. AND'DISTRIBUTION SCHIiMES

Several. Seed Multiplication Centres (including for wheat), located

in different geographical centres in the Empire are planned be in operation. At present the Ministry of Agriculture of

and will soon the Imperial Ethiopian Government has organized Seed Multiplication Centres at

Sodo, Gelge.I Abbay? rfawa and Mekelle. The number of these centres is bound to increase in view of the country's need for improved high- yielding crop varieties.a

Page 7

KENYA " . .

From 1961 onwards, the area under wheat has been increasing every

year, rising from 93*300 hectares in I96I to 140,000 hectares in 19669 an increase' of 45 per cent'in five years..There are chances of further

increases of area in the years to come. .Similarly the average, yield, has

been raised..from 0,46 tons/ha to I.42 tons/ha in 1967, thus 200,000 tons were harvested in 19673 sufficient to meet Kenya's own demands and also^

that of Uganda. Some wheat tfas even exported to Tanzania. The .Indicative World Plan.had visualized an area of 154?000 hectares by 1975 and 210,000 ha by 1985. Tie Id and production in 19§5 are estimated at 1.7- tons/ha and

360,000 tons respectively**

Due to' the strict organization set-up and close collaboration between Kenya rtneat Eoard and Kenya Farmers' Association, the work is progressing very satisfactorily; and farmers are provided rfith the . necessary incentives to produce more, Whe.at rust is the main/.problem affecting .wheat, production! in Kenya. . .Two stations - one at^jbrp

(7,0.00 feet) and. another at Molo (9,000 fee-t) - have released I4O

varieties in the last 40 years to combat new races of rusts developing in

Kenya. The'seed production programme is also progressing very. satisfactori-i.

In order to keep the rust races under control? it.is necessary ,to carry .

on the research work at great speed. The programme for dwarf wheat has

also been started .rith encouraging results. However, from this year a

special programme has been initiated through the. co-operation of CIMMT^ . for the improvement of wheats for highland tropics. If FaO are successful in establishing a close collaboration with"CIMMYT and the Canadian bilateral

aid team working 'iri-'flVjoro* such programmes will also help Ugandas Tanzania and Ethiopia, and a regional Wheat Breeding Centre of great effectiveness at low expenditure could thus be created.

SUDAN , ,.-'..

The wheat growing zones in the order of importance are the Gezira scheme^ the Khashm El Girba scheme, the Northern- Province and Khartoum.

■Province, All the crop is being produced under' irrigation, and no commercial wheat is "being grown under rainfed conditions at the present

time. ' ■ . .

Domestic consumption in 1961/63. was 88?OOO tons, and exports were

12,000,. tons. Domestic consumption is expected to rise to 150,000

tons in 1975 and to 236,000 tons by 1985. ; -

mm

Page 8

Table 1 s Area 'production and average yield of wheat in the Sudan

■ for the -period 1958/1959 - 1967/1968

Crop- year ' Area Production Average

,. . ' ./ . ,. . (1*000 fed") ■ '■(1,000 m. tons) m . tons/fed' -1958/59 ■■■ '

^1959/60 ; . - ■ .1960/61 ■.: ■■

■1961/62 ' : 1962/63 1963/64 .1964/65.

1965/66' - 1966/67

■I967/68 ■ ' ■

■32.6 - ■

38.5

39.1

■ '-4O.9 -

54.0 135.655-5 ■

136.5

172.5 ' ■ 212.8 ■

22.7

24.7 26.4

■■■' ■■"28l.5-i l -■'- ■■

30.936,8 56.0 69.O

78.5 87.5

- . 0,696-■' -

O.642 - O.675:

■ • ■ ■■ 0.1597- •■■■;

O.572

O.663 0.413 ■

0.505 . O.455.

0.411

Average, -,..;. t ..91.8 46.1 . . 0,502

s's -incre-ase in .wheat area and production was 'mainly brought about .

by the introduction of wheat, cultivation in the Gezira scheme in 1959/60:

as-part- of the intensification .and diversification plan, and by wheat.' : growing- in Khashm^JSl -0:i-rba 'area., ■ The amount of land under wheat crop in these, two ■aones- is'-e.ve-ry ^ea'r on the increase. , ■

Table 2 s wheat area for the different zones in" feddans

. - 1960/61 ..

„ 1961/62 1962/63 : . ■ 1963/64 . ..

1964/65 1965/66 1966/67 1967/68

Northern Province 28,980.

. 28,900

33*500.

337600 32,282 " ■ 25,190 26,624 369806

Khartoum Frovinee

■ 2,100, 1,100 1,400 , 1,390 ■

800 600 600 1,100

Gezira . Scheme

7,9"8O 1OS96O 19,120 20,5.50 . 73,486

75?l63

S>9,300 79*774

Khashm Bl Girba Scheme '

_

—

29,068-" ■"'■

35*500- ■ ■-

55,980

77, HO

For the season 1968/69:, the area for Gezira and Khashm El Girba was 142?000 feddans and 121,000 feddans respectively? figures for: Khartoum and Northern Provinces not availables'but'the total.area for the country could be estimated at 296,000 feddans*

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Page 9

IMPORTS OF wHSAT AMD vffliiiAT. FLOUR

■ ■ The imports of wheat in the form of grain and flour has shown an upward trend during the past ten years in spite of increased area and ..■.

consequently the production.. This.increase in wheat importation is' due to

the .shift in the scale of perfereace to wheat, and increased per capita consumption. .

■ ■ ■ \ ■

T.able 3 s. feeat .grain and flour. imports and their values for the

period 1958-1967 ■ " ■ ■

Year Wheat grain

(m,. tons) Value s (L. S.)

Wheat £"lour

(m. tons) Value (L«S*) 1958

1959I960 1961.

1962

1964 1963 1965

1966 196?

7,000

40,966

46,037

44,322

54*798

54,603 29,439 49,080

326

924,825 l?092,968 1,198,014 1,620,018

1,677.239

- 820,1.96 1,355,271

37.3.21

.81,147

76,272 46,289

30,355 50,5-29

52,221

49>892 88,469 122s995

913,573

1,909,484 .1,858-775

1,267,702

996,854

1-, 666,280

1,897,589 1,526,633

2,830,097 3,505,715

Average 31,925

63,549-

^1,837,270

Domestic consumption of wheat during 1961/63 was 126,000 tons (as compared with 2950O0 tons of domestic production) and is. expected to.rise

to 194,000 tons by 1975, and 291,000 tons by 1985. Thus there is, a

considerable deficit of wheat in the country. .It is Estimated', that the yield will be about 1.8 tcns/ha by 1975, and 2,3 tons/ha by 1985? thus the

Sudan is capable of developing a surplus of about 40?000 tons by 1975 and about 123,000 tons-by .1985.

RSSniARCH OJST mlHiJAT

.dlach of "the "three major wheat producing zones in the Sudan is ■"'

served by a Research Station, among the staff of which;, a wheat specialist is. included? thus the Hudeiba Agricultural Research Station caters for the Northern province, the Gezira Agricultural Research Station for Geizra

scheme, and Khashm El Girba Agricultural Research Station for Gezira Khashm El.Girba scheme." Wheat improvement work'consists of two partes.

Breeding and Agronomy. The FAO Fear East riheat'and Barley Improvement ■ :■-.- and Production project is helping the country, by introducing high-

yielding and diseased-resistant varieties.

Page 10

(a) Breeding . '

"In the- three-Research Stations- "breeding work essentially consists of annually-growing an FAO . uniform wheat. Rust'Nursery provided by the'Regional.

Consultants wheat and-"barley improvement project for the lear Sast, and ancinternational spring wheat yield trial provided by the International.

Centre for maize and wheat improvement in Mexico. From, these two sources, promising lines are screened and entered in Micro-variety trials - Further screening will lead to Macro.plot .trials, and.at the end leading varieties are entered in a National Variety trial under "the sponsorship.of. the Senior

itfheat Breeder, and is being planted at 11 locations. In addition to the .screening of varieties? .a Hybridization programme is being carried out at Hudeiba Besearch' Station, in which the .leading 10 varieties were crossed in all possible rfays to -^et .rid of depressive characters .like rust susceptibi lity? shattering and-lodging. ■Recently some early and-advanced generations were-obtained from UAR and Pakistan, and planted at Khashm SI Girba ..for the test of their performance^

(b)' Promising varieties ■■

■ As a result of the screening work ana variety trials different varieties were recommended lor.each zone and are now under.cultivation | thus Falchetto and Hindi 62 were recommended xor the Northern Province.

Giza .148,- Hudeiba 164,- Hudeiba 154 and Hudeiba 57 for the Gezira scheme Giaa 144 f°r Khashm El Girba scheme. .

Lately some new varieties proved their superiority but are still' in

the final- stages-of testing, tnese are i-enjamo-62> Lerma Ro-jo--64Aj Line

(LR - tflOB) An-3, Mexipak 65 pitic 62S ffainari 60? Giza 155 and Line 1418-

3463. ' - ' , '"" " . ■

(c) Agronomy . '

Wheat agronomic research is mainly conducted on-the following liness - Response of wheat varieties to nitrogen, phosphorus-., potash in

different combinations and different rates,

- Comparison of different forms of nitrogen, time of application, method of application1and'dosage.

- Varieties and sowing dates, seed rates, nitrogen.and their inter actions.

- Methods of planting"i.e. the- bedding "method, ridging, broadcasting

or drilling. . _ . ■ ■ ■

r- tfheat water requirements "i .e. length of watering interval, volume '; of water, water closure dates, the effect of water stress at

different growth phases3 interaction of watering regime with sowing time, seed rates and nitrogen.

Page -11

- Method of irrigation i ..e. .comparison of f ield .head basins3 syphons and open furrows■

■ In addition to1 the above 3 work is also "being conducted by the Plant Pathologists on wheat seed dressing against soil "borne pathogens., and by Entomologists? on the control of wheat insect pests like aphids? termites and stem "borers. The effect of the planting date on yield can "be.

illustrated from a'trial on variety Giza 144 in the Geairas.

Dates of sowing Yield (tons/ha . )-*.

17 1

15

29

15

September October

H 11

November

2.76 3.10 3-12 3.18 2.67

Yields "after mid—December decli.ie even more sharply. Some early maturing Mexican varieties nave given promising results in experiments;, but yields under farming conditions are not very high. The Sudan1 Government intend to introduce high-yielding and rust-resistant Giza 155 from the UAR this season, and it is reported that 200 tons of seed

of this variety will be imported. !

S-iSED MULTIPLICATION AND" DISTRIBUTION

There is no proper seed certifying ageacy in the Sudan. - but the Plant Propagation Division now located at Hudeiba Research Station helps

with seed'production. ■ . ,

The Plant Breeder or the agro-breeders produce basic and■foundation seed either for their improved varieties? or as a source of seed supply for commercial seed renewal purposes. Foundation seed is then handed to the representative of the Plant Propagation1 Division, who in turn multi plies it in Government schemes for the production of certified seed. Seed distribution in the two major wheat producing zones i.e. Khashm El Girba and Gesira schemes is done bj the Management. Private farmers may buy their seed requirement directly from riant Propagation Division or from the produce of other farmers.

TANZANIA

The wheat area in Tanzania between I.952/56 and 1966 increased by 48 per cent and production by 144 per cent. However, area suitable for

wheat production is limited;, therefore the Indicative rforld Plan estimated that total wheat area for 1975 and I985 would be 43?OOO and 52,000 ha

respectively? with yields of 1.2 and 1.5 tons/ha respectively. Domestic demand for wheat was 413OOO tons in 1961/63, and is likely to rise to

80 kg N/ha applied at: sowing.

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Page 12

78,000 tons and 128,000 tons "by 1975 and I985 respectively., This- will

necessitate the importation of 28,000 tons and 53^000 tons in 1975 and

1985= 'At present there is little work done on wheat in Tanzania, and

most of the varieties are introduced from Kenya.

CGJSTGO/ '.'■,'■ , '

Wheat production is of little significance in Congo ■(Kinshasa). The

crop is grown only in some parts of the. Kivu province at high altitudes*

The area cultivated is estiiaa-tea at 4,000 hectares and production at • 4,000 tons. There-are no special research or-distribution schemes in operation. Congo (Kinshasa) imports large quantities of cereals and flour? the major portion being given by the United States under Law 48O.

HJBIMDI ■"_' ■ ■ ■

AGRONOMIC E^EAHCJT ©2[- WZBW

■<,.

Wheat"is grown in the high altitude.zone of Burundi (ls900 metres)

crresponding to the natural region of Mugamba which extends partially to

the "arrondissements" of Muramvya, Mwisale, Kayanza, Mwaro and Bururi, Yields oscillate between 800 and 1,200 kg- per hectare in the rural milieu, but reach 3*000 kg per hectare on the research stations. Statistics are unreliable, but production is generally estimated at.roughly 5,000 tons

per year*

Research is undertaken with a view to yield improvement and quality together tfith improved cultural practices. Distribution.of selected

material in the rural milieu has been going on since 1963*

Varieties ■ .. ■

^ varieties chosen are Lignees Ba^o - 1,30-1-77 (305)1 twenty-nine lines are under .trial and study for their baking qualities.

Seed distribution

.The programme is based on a gradual and recovery diffusion by way of exchange against throe tiai;;j -an ^ount of cassava flour in order to

ensure complete coverage. The seeds distributed are recovered:'in triple quantity,

Actual distribution was as follows?

Tear Kg

1963 1964

1965

l?960 2,528 13,530

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Page 13

Tear Kg

1966 .3,720

1967 ■ 21,738

1968 85,368

■ The increase in yield as a result of distribution of improved varieties varies from 40 to 80 per cent when compared Nith the local varieties,

Imports of wheat flour

Tear

1966

1967

1968

3 2 4

Tons

,7.72

.899

*471

Value.

48 43

63 (lfooo

.8 .1 .4

BF) Price/kg

15.6 14.9 14.2

R'HAE'DA . ■ '.■■:■"■

During the last decade? Rwanda's wheat production reached approximately 1,500 tons to 2,000 tons a year 9 "but it was almost abandoned after 1963' There was a revival of cultivation about; two years ago and production reached 1,000 tons in 1966. .The Development Plan aims at a production of 4?000 tons by 1970, in the high altitude areas. In 1964? imports of wheat flour reached 1,195 tons valued at/RM 14,13 million.

CHAD . ■' ■■ ,

Wheat has been traditionally cultivated near Lake Chad and production

has risen from approximately 900 tons in I961/62 to about 4,000 tons in

1966, Most of the production is consumed as eemolina .

The cultivated area rose from 1S311 hectares in 1963/64 to 2,422 hectares in 1965/66 with a corresponding threefold increase in production

from ls500 tons to 4?8OO tons. This was made possible by assistance from F£ji)j and the stimulus provided by the construction of a flour mill at

Fort Lamy by Governments ■ . .

Chad has a tremendous potential for wheat development, in her polder areas. The area cultivated under the polder system could reach 90?000

hectares rfitJa a production of at'least l80?000 tons by traditional methods 3

and at least 3OO5OOO tons by"improved cultural methods, and irrigation efficiency. More "realistically9 one can rely on the 15?000 hectares

projected for cultivation in 1970/71* of which 1,5.00 hectares are to be

■supplied rtith modern irrigation systems.

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Page 14 .'

Production possibilities could reach at least 3O3OOO tons of wheat and commercialization some 20s000 tons? since local .consumption will be

satisfied. Since the needs of Chad, as indicated in the IrtP might "be

IOjOOQ tons in 197O3 an exportable surplus could be sent to the Central

African Republic and Northern Cameroon.

THE OVERALL""POSITION ■- .... ■

The high proportion.of wheat imports in the total food imports of some of the countries discussed? tends to reflect the. partial'shift in

consumption from locally produced foodstuffs, consequent on growing

urbanization* Wheat appears to be grown economically in relatively few '

areas. Economic and technical research is required to make African wheats competitive with European and American wheats.

Research could possibly be directed on technological lines to

finding a substitute for wheat flour bread., by mixing with imported wheat the flours of local cereals e,g.- maize9 millet, sorghum or cassava*

Experiments are under way in the Central African Republic, but unless a concerted effort in this direction is made, imports of wheaten flour may continue to grow rapidly.

The second line of approach is the technical development of wheat inside the sub-region following the successful approach of the Kenya authorities. There is no doubt however that increased co-operation in research on wheat can play an important role in the development of wheat production in the countries of the two sub-regions™

In the East African Sub-region9 Kenya9 Ethiopia and the Sudan are major producers9 whereas production in the Central African Sub-region "

satisfies only 10 per cent of consumption needs. Burundi alone has a significant production of 832OO tons? and Chad has enormous production possibilities,, notwithstanding her present production of only 459OO tons-

The "largest importers of wheat are Congo (Kinshasa) ^090G0 tons with a value of $5»7 million,, followed by Cameroon 21 ,,500 tons? with a value of $2.3 million. The total value of imports for the.Central African Sub- ' region is of the order of $12 million-

Appendix I.shows the quantity and value of flour imports for. the countries under discussion, but includes Gabon and Cameroon for purpose?, of. completion. It will be observed that Cameroonj as stated above s is a significant importer of wheaten flour? and Gabon is installing a flour mill of 12?000 tons capacity. Gabon's present consumption is about

8?000 tons, >■ ■■ ,

Thus.about 80 j>er cent of the total wheat requirements in the Eastern African sub—region are produced from local sources., mainly by subsistence- producers with the balance of consumption requirements being met by import Of the main wheat growing countries Ethiopia in 1966 was estimated to have

Page 15

provided 60 per cent of total production in the regions followed by Kenya at 24 per cent, and Tanzania and.Lesotho at 7, per cent each.

Imports of wheat, wheat ..flour and other wheat products into the sub- region have been increasing .steadily in recent years with Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.each, importing some l6?000 to 20,000 metric tons of wheat

and flour (wheat equivalent) annually on average during the six-year

period 196I to I966, . Mauritius? Madagascar'and Somalia are quite heavily dependent on these imports| their annual inflows averaging.39?500 tone,

25,000 t&nar and 15?5°O tons respectively of wheat and flour (wheat

) during the same six-year period. . .

Of the leading wheat producers in the sub-region,' Kenya-appears to . have the most impressive future possibilities for .meeting its own needs and providing, an..important export surplus for intra—territorial trade. During . recent yearsj Kenyan and East African wheat research projects have made

available new. high yielding? rust resistant strains. In other ways.also Kenya? together with Uganda and Tanzania, has benefited directly .from the activities of the Inter-territorial wheat Committee which has been able to draw on-.external technical and financial assistance. Production .

yields, which in 1961/63? averaged 1010 kg per hectare in Kenya, are .

expected to exceed 1600 kg per hectare i>y 1970 and 1660 kg per hectare by 1972« In the past, mechanized methods of wheat production in that country were more or less confined to the large farming sector of the former "scheduler areas of the south-west highlands. More recently, with direct government

assistance, mechanized wheat production has moved into the JFarok District of Massailand. whs re 5 the Kenya Development Plan I966—70 points out, there

are some 283^276 hectares of land eminently suitable for combined, wheat

and livestock production available, _,,and currently substantially under-, utilized by their land-owning Masai communities. This development of new wheat lands has heen undertaken1 to ensure national self-sufficiency in wheat production, with a surplus to meet the requirements of neighbouring

oountries. Tanzania, normally an importer of wheat from Kenya and else

where? is actively pursuing a policy designed to attain national self- sufficiency.

1 Currently, wheat production in Kenya is well above domestic require ments, and, given favourable growing seasons, is expected to increase further with the continued adoption of new technological advances, viz.?

high—yielding seed varieties, improved mechanisation and general improve ments in husbandry standards by African farmers in particular. Under the, drive of similarly planned-and equally dynamic wheat production policies, Ethiopia and Tanzania, for example could also move from wheat "deficit"

to wheat "surplus" situations. However Kenya's anticipated wheat export returns, which reflect international wheat price levels, are below

recently ruling producer returns within the country, and so increased future export sales may be expected to involve "the Wheat Board of Kenya in further losses on these transactions. Therefore, the Government has

Page 16

revised the internal wheat pricing structures starting tfith the 196'9

harvested crops reducing producer returns on deliveries per bag, "but ■

maintaining "guaranteed minimum returns" (GMR) per acre, as well as3

internal retail prices. These moves have been taken to'confine the .growth of Kenya's wheat output and also the wheat Board's future losses -

on wheat export sales. It is recognized that, even with the advantages of the high yielding? rust resistant strains currently available,

Mechanized wheat production costs in Kenya will tend to remain significantly .above those1 operating in Australia, Canada or other major wheat exporting

countries, and- so the local producers3 including to a minor extent the subsistence farmers? will continue to need the security and incentives of an officially supported national wheat promotion scheme. It is recognized also that while East African wheat "surplus" countries such as Kenya face open competition from international suppliers? including concessional, deals, their attempts to develop export sales with neighbouring countries will be confined to very limited dimensions, unless the Government or Governments with export capacity are willing to subsidize .the trade on a continuing and expanding basis,or their exports of surplus wheat receive some degree of protection through intra-regional economic co-operative

agreements. ' ■

Atu.T3.iC. X

AIOTEX 1

Table I Wheat imports

Total

Wheat . ■ JJ'i- 'Total Equivalent whea'

Q Q

Cameroon

Congo (B)

Gabon CAR Chad UKDHiAC

Congo (K)

Sub-total Burundi Rwanda

16:

!

17

1 18

?000

_

.9°°

.900 - 3000 .900

_

is200

,

142 1.342 75 1.417

_

21,500 . 500 7 s 300 5.800 500 35.600 49?500 85,100 - 351OO I3SOO

4

5 10

-580 . 80 876 696 60 ,272 -94O s 212 ■ ,721

180

■ 29;300 16,700

9,9^

7,900 2,600 66,4CO 68,550 134.750 4 3 200 1,800

18j900 1,417 69?700 10;

Q = Quantities s 15000 tons

V = Value s ls000 US$

* » 1 ton wheat = 720 - 750 kg flour

V

2,58-0

876 696 202

5.614

6 s 015 11,629

37?.

2,400

12,181

MJSTEX II

Table II Wheat imports into Sudan

Annex II

Year Wheat grain

(Wii tons)

^Value wheat flour L.S. (M. tons)

Value (L.&.)

1958

1959

i960 1961 1962

1963 1964

1965 1966

1967

.7,000

-

-

40,966

46,037 .

44*322 54.798

54.603 29.439

49.O8O

326

. _

-

924.825 1,092,968 1,198,014 1,620,018

1.677.239

820?l96 1.355.271

37.321

81,147

. 76,272 46,289

30,355

50,529 52,221 49?892

88,469 122,995

913,573

1,909,484 1.858,775

1,267,702

996;854

1,666,280

1,897*589 1.526,633 2.830,097 3.505.715

Average 31.925 ^868,886

63,549

^1.837.270

The imports of wheat in .the form of grain and flour ha^ye shown an upward trend during the past ten years in spite of increased area and

increased production* !Etiis~ increase appears to represent a shift in ' . food preferences as well as to increased per capita consumption *

Annex II

AOTEX III

Table III s Wheat imports into Ethiopia

yea^ ' Quantity " : Value.

• Mesiin and unmilled wheat

. 1965

1966

1967

1965

1966 .

1967

Source s

6 8

Meal9 meslin

13 28

20

Statistical Statistical

Quantity in tons

Value ('000 }3th.$)

,577 ,262 110,

and

,889.

,601;

5890.

.9

.4' '

•5

flour of wheat

,8 ,1

■ 9

Abstract* 1967-1968, Office? Addis Ababa.

1.

2.

2;

4, ,319

?O99

21

-390 -771 ,706

Central

■•4

= 7

.3"

,2 c.2 .1