Drought Tolerant Seeds to Tackle African Food Crisis（在线收听）

Scientists have now started to breed drought resistant crops which they hope will combat East Africa's worst drought in 60 years.

More than 13 million people across Africa are facing severe food shortages. But as CRI's Su Yi reports, a new strain of maize is now providing much needed hope.

 
Maize is a staple crop in East Africa, but with a shallow root system, the plant is heavily dependent on moisture within the soil.

Farmer Philip Makau has a maize granary installed in his own living room.

The success of his crop is down to a drought tolerant seed called KDV 4.

"In that three-quarter acre plot, I was getting less than a bag (of maize). But now, after using the Dryland Seed Company seeds, there's been great change. I'm getting five bags (of maize) in that small area."

Dryland Seed Company sells three types of drought-tolerant maize seed.

Edna Ngila is the co-director of the company.

"They appreciate our seeds. Farmers are saying that they're not losing a season anymore. Before, they were losing a season. We only have two seasons in a year in which to grow food. So, if you missed last season for example, it means you won't have food until the next season – it will take them about eight or nine months to grow another kind of food."

Scientists have been working to create plant varieties that can better deal with unfavorable weather conditions.

KDV 4 is one of around 20 varieties in Kenya known as "drought-tolerant" maize.

Dr. James Gethi is the national coordinator of the maize program at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.

"We start our process here, by planting all the different varieties of seeds- sometimes going up to hundreds - into a field like this. Then, after reaching a stage just before the seeds flower, you withdraw the water. Once you withdraw the water the plants grow, simulating an environment where the rain has stopped. Then at the end of the season, you check all the different varieties that you have, and check which ones have done the best."

A recent study predicts that drought-tolerant varieties of maize could boost harvests in 13 African countries by up to one third and generate up to 1.5 billion US dollars.

For CRI, I'm Su Yi.