Dual‐purpose crops for grain and fodder to improve nutrition security in semi‐arid sub‐Saharan Africa: A review

Abstract Addressing the challenge of food and nutrition insecurity in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) will require innovative agriculture production systems that support multiple objectives. In recent years, several high‐yielding, nutrient‐dense varieties cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum R. Br.), sorghum Sorghum bicolor Moench) have been developed purposely as dual‐purpose (DP) SSA to meet human livestock feed needs. This review synthesized published data on DP from cowpea, millet, sorghum. Findings showed crops were largely grown by smallholder farmers a variety soil climatic conditions with characterized large gaps between attainable actual crop yields which varied significantly among regions. While grain fodder yield traditional (TV) averaged 700 kg ha −1 860 , respectively, reported was 1100 2150 for fodder. The average TV 750 2500 Similarly, 2000 4200 Dual‐purpose yielded greater (>3000 ) (3500 compared TV. Little obtained nutritive qualities varieties. However, be more digestible than Furthermore, adoption improves fertilizer use efficiency, profitability, environmental sustainability, resilience whole farm system Considering fertilizer's high prices, availability, quality semi‐arid countries addition farmer poverty level, economic evaluation impact assessment are critical before wide dissemination.