Millet/Sorghum

The millet/sorghum value chain produces staple foods for millions of West Africans and is of vital importance to the region’s economy. Additionally, processed products derived from millet/sorghum have the potential to compete for a greater share of household consumption spending. In fact, the evidence suggests that urban demand for millet/sorghum products across the region currently outstrips production.

The growth potential of this value chain, however, has been charac-terized by low yields and poor quality, impeding the development of value-added markets and cross-border trade in both raw and processed millet/sorghum. There is limited availability of, and poor access to, affordable processing equipment; a weak marketing capacity with limited access to quality packaging and labeling; and a low level of consumer awareness about the range of foods that can be prepared from local cereals. Moreover, when governments provide domestic supports, consumption subsidies, export bans and other measures they claim protect farmers and prevent cereal shortfalls, they’re actually hurting rather than benefitting trade in millet/sorghum.

USAID E-ATP’s efforts in the regional millet/sorghum value chain are aimed at increasing trade in unprocessed cereals, establishing a competitive food processing sector, and enhancing the value chain’s contributions to food security. To these ends, the project works with its regional organizational partners to:

• Build business linkages between suppliers and buyers of processed and unprocessed products;
• Create a policy environment conducive to investment;
• Increase the number of actors actively investing in and upgrading operations;
• Expand collaboration and learning between value chain actors and public institutions;
• Improve the flow of information about innovations at all levels;

Promote improved, more efficient models of trade in both raw and processed products, and promote a positive image of the role intra-regional trade can play.

In all our interventions, we are committed to gender equity and to mitigating potential adverse environmental effects.