Sorghum essential for South Africa

Magda du Toit discusses Grain SA’s focus on sorghum as an important grain crop to cultivate, research and develop further in the country.

- Magda du Toit 

Sorghum is a versatile crop that thrives in marginal environments where other cereal crops often fail. It is used worldwide for food, feed, fodder and biofuel.

Production of sorghum, however, is affected by many factors, such as a shortage of new hybrids and a lack of market development, and consequently lower profitability. Production is also hindered by abiotic and biotic stress factors. For these reasons, the sorghum industry in South Africa is facing huge challenges as it has seen production and consumption decrease dramatically over the past few decades.

Because sorghum remains an important crop for South African farmers due to its high tolerance to drought conditions and to consumers because of its nutritional and cultural value, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in 2021 launched a feasibility study into the sorghum value chain in South Africa. The study not only highlighted the major challenges the industry faces but also identified recommendations that could be implemented for its survival.

One of the recommendations was to establish a sorghum cluster to act as a framework for implementing the initiatives recommended in the report. According to Willem Groothof, chairperson of the sorghum working group, the creation of the Sorghum Cluster Initiative (SCI) is the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

During the recent Grain SA congress held at Nampo Park near Bothaville, the Sorghum and Sunflower Work Group discussed the challenges facing the sorghum industry.

SCI convenor Petru Fourie gave feedback on the progress of the activities. She said the SCI had begun the following projects: