Published: 2004
Total Pages: 366
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Both sorghum and pearl millet are staple food crops for the poor people in the semi-arid tropics (SAT). However, during the last two decades both crops are becoming less important as staple food crops in SAT countries. Demand for course cereals (such as sorghum and pearl millet) as human food is decreasing in many countries, due to increased production and availability of preferred cereals (such as rice and wheat) at subsidized prices. The poor farmers in rainfed SAT cannot grow other crops, and are economically impacted negatively, as they do not get reasonable price for their produce. However, possibilties of alternative uses of sorghum and pearl millet are creating new opportunities that have potential to increase market demand and income to farmers.