Compost, a natural fertilizer to improve pearl millet [<i>Pennisetum glaucum </i>(L.) R. br.] growth and its productivity in the Sahel (south-eastern Niger): an experiment to convince small producers to manage their soil sustainably

In the Sahel, millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is one of the main cereals cultivated as rain-fed crops, predominantly by vulnerable small producers, on poor soils leading to increasingly low growth and production. The aim of this work was to increase millet production by using organic manure (compost) at low cost (accessible to all) and respectful of the environment. The methodology used was participatory (with producers) and consisted of monitoring the growth and yield parameters of two varieties (local and improved) of millet by applying three doses of compost: low dose (1 tha-1 ), medium dose (3 tha-1 ) and high dose (5 tha-1 ) with a control (without compost). The results showed that millet achieves most of its growth in height before the 71st day after sowing. The high dose of compost increased the height of the millet plants by more than 22 cm and the number of tillers by more than 17% compared to the control. The variety of millet did not directly affect plant height and number of tillers. The high dose of compost increased the yield by more than 44% and the dry matter by more than 37% compared to the control. The yield of the improved millet variety increased by more than 32% compared to the local variety. The local variety had an increase in dry matter of more than 11% compared to the improved variety. The study helped convince several producers to accept the use of compost. Its large-scale extension, in producers' fields, could convince those who are reluctant to adopt innovation.