Sorghum is a staple crop in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as EthiopiaFarmers in poor regions – many of them women – depend on sorghumStriga, a parasitic weed, destroys on average one fifth of the sorghum crop each yearMicrobes in the soil can protect plants against diseases and parasitesWe’re using science to discover how microbes can enhance sorghum productivity

Sorghum is a staple crop in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Ethiopia

Farmers in poor regions – many of them women – depend on sorghum

Striga – a parasitic weed – destroys on average one fifth of the sorghum crop each year

Microbes in the soil can protect plants against diseases and parasites

We’re using science to discover how microbes can enhance sorghum productivity

Our Mission

Promoting Root Microbes for Integrated Striga Eradication

The long-term goal of the programme is to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, by increasing the productivity of sorghum: a key cereal crop for food & feed. By using an ecosystems’ approach, the aim is to explore the full potential of beneficial soil microbes to protect sorghum against the parasitic weed Striga.

 

Microbes can help feed the world

In Sub-Saharan Africa, many farmers have limited access to resources for protecting plants against diseases and securing crop yields for food and feed. While natural resources and fertile soils are becoming scarcer every day, feeding a growing global population will require novel and more sustainable strategies to increase agricultural production!

Nature has provided trillions of potential partners that can help to enhance food production with fewer resources. These partners are microbes. Without microbes there would be no plants or animals, as all life depends on them to provide many essential ecosystem services. How exactly can microbes help? Read more here (source: American Academy of Microbiology).

Starting in autumn 2023, the next phase of PROMISE (PROMISE II) will bring on board more partners and will be active in three African countries: Ethiopia, Senegal and Tanzania.

Sorghum

 

 

The 5th most important cereal crop in the world. Most varieties are drought tolerant and represent a major food and feed resource for subsistence farmers - especially in Sub-Saharan Africa

Striga

 

 

Also known as witchweed. It's a plant parasitic weed that is widespread in Africa, Asia and Australia, where it causes considerable yield losses of several important food crops such as sorghum and maize

Microbes

 

 

The oldest form of life on earth, found in virtually every environment. Essential for life-support functions such as purifying water, breaking down toxic compounds, fighting diseases and promoting plant growth

News & Calendar

News
Progress Update (September 2021)
PROMISE Progress Update (November 2020)
PROMISE Progress Update (January 27 2020)
PROMISE Press Release (March 14 2017)

Calendar
5th annual partner meeting
Davis, USA
18&19 November 2021
4th annual partner meeting (virtual)
26-28 October 2020
3rd annual partner meeting
4-5 November 2019
at the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam
Opening of greenhouse in Ethiopia
6 June 2019
2nd annual partner meeting
18-19 September 2018
at the Netherlands Institute for Ecology, Wageningen, NL
1st annual partner meeting
26-27 October 2017 
at the Netherlands Institute for Ecology, Wageningen, NL

Funding

PROMISE is coordinated by NIOO-KNAW
and funded for two 5-year periods by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 
 

Contact

Promise Office NIOO-KNAW
PO Box 50 6700 AB Wageningen
Netherlands
E:  Promise@nioo.knaw.nl
T:  +31 (0)317 473467
 

 

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