Pearl millet (mawele)

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 85 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for grain for ugali and porridge, animal feed, cut-and-carry fodder, and dry stover for animals..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by wind. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Pearl millet (mawele) is widely grown in hot, dry and sandy areas of East Africa where maize often fails. It is grouped under: Cereals & Pseudocereals.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 300 to 600 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 1600 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 5.5 to 7.5. It does well in light, sandy or sandy loam soils; pearl millet (mawele) grows well where soils are poor and dry, as long as they are not waterlogged.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 60 centimetres apart, and leave about 25 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 3 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 4 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.