Striga hermonthica, commonly known as purple witchweed, is a parasitic plant that poses a significant threat to staple crops like sorghum, maize, and rice across sub-Saharan Africa. Once it invades a field, it aggressively attaches to the roots of host plants, syphoning off essential nutrients and stunting their growth. The result is catastrophic: drastic yield losses that leave farmers struggling to feed their families and sustain their livelihoods.
The Devastation Caused by Striga
For millions of smallholder farmers, Striga infestation is more than just a weed problem—it is a crisis. The plant thrives in poor soils, and its seeds can remain dormant in the soil for years, making eradication incredibly challenging. Farmers in many parts of Nigeria, including Benue and Niger states, have suffered devastating losses, often abandoning the cultivation of sorghum and some crops altogether.
Striga not only affects sorghum but also has a severe impact on sugar cane, maize, millet, and rice, further exacerbating food insecurity in vulnerable regions. In some cases, infestation levels have been so high that farmers have lost up to 80% of their crop yields. The economic consequences are severe, forcing families to seek alternative livelihoods or depend on food aid.
Striga’s Grip on Smallholder Farmers
In Mbagyuve and Mbashimbe communities in Gboko LGA, Benue, and Mokwa village in Mokwa LGA, Niger, Striga infestation forced farmers to give up sorghum farming. The inability to control the weed meant continuous failed harvests, which led to economic hardship and food insecurity. Many turned to alternative crops, but the loss of sorghum, a key staple, disrupted local agricultural systems and incomes.
The high cost of traditional herbicides and soil treatments has also been a barrier to effective Striga control. Many smallholder farmers cannot afford expensive chemical solutions, leaving them with little choice but to abandon affected fields or resort to ineffective traditional methods.
The Role of Improved Seeds in Combating Striga
Hope came on the horizon for affected farmers through the introduction of Striga-tolerant sorghum varieties like SAMSORG 17, SAMSORG 42, and SAMSORG 54. The Farmers’ Hub – a one-stop centre dedicated to supporting smallholder farmers – is championing the use of improved seeds to reclaim Striga-infested farms. By offering sorghum varieties bred for tolerance, the hub is helping farmers restore their yields and sustain their agricultural practices.
Ihyembe Livinus, a Business Support Service Officer for the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), explained the significance of improved seeds at a field day held in Gboko LGA:
“Today was for farmers to see first-hand the benefits of improved sorghum varieties. These trials have shown that the new seeds perform well in Striga-infested areas. Farmers, who had once given up on sorghum, are now eager to return to cultivation.”
Beyond introducing improved seeds, the Farmers’ Hub also provides farmers with better agricultural practices, including optimal seed selection, planting techniques, and weed control strategies.
The Impact of Training and Support
Alongside distributing tolerant seeds, the Farmers’ Hub educates farmers on the correct use of agrochemicals and soil management practices. Terry Ligom, a trained agronomist and hub manager in Agbile village, Gboko LGA, has witnessed this transformation first-hand:
“Farmers used to struggle with Striga because they lacked the right knowledge on weed control and chemical application. Through the hub, they now understand proper dosages, application timing, and safety measures. As a result, they are seeing real improvements in their crop yields.”
Farmers are also learning about integrated Striga management techniques, including crop rotation, early planting, and the use of bio-herbicides that specifically target Striga seeds in the soil. These holistic approaches ensure that tolerant seeds are used in an environment that maximises their effectiveness.
Research has shown that integrating Striga-tolerant varieties with soil fertility improvement strategies, such as intercropping with legumes and using organic fertilisers, can significantly enhance sorghum production in affected areas.
A Future Free from Striga
With improved seed varieties and continuous farmer education, sorghum production is making a comeback in communities that once abandoned it. Farmers are regaining confidence in their ability to cultivate this essential crop, ensuring food security and economic stability.
The fight against Striga is far from over, but through innovation and collaboration, smallholder farmers now have the tools to reclaim their farms and build a resilient future. The success of the Farmers’ Hub is a testament to the power of improved agricultural practices and the importance of supporting farmers with the right resources.