Mika Abdu has grown short season millet from seeds supplied by Concern in the Tahoua region of Niger - an area that is adversely affected by failed rains, dry spells and rises in temperatures. By using a short season seeds, Mika has been able to harvest his millet crop in half the time.
“The advantage for my family is that we don’t have to wait as long for food,” Mika said.
“It used to take more than three months for the local millet to grow. But with this new variety, we can harvest in two months.
“We’ve also been taught new farming techniques, such as the benefits of using compost, and how to keep moisture in the soil. And we’ve learned not to cut down all the young tree saplings. Before, we’d clear the land of everything. Now we protect the growing trees."