Christin Hunter | Pannar

As South Africa’s summer grain farmers prepare for the planting season, a national initiative involving government and industry organisations is working to increase the cultivation of grain sorghum. This ancient crop, once a staple across Africa, Asia, and India, is set for a revival to address pressing issues like food security, climate resilience, and rural economic growth.

Why Sorghum?

Sorghum’s benefits go beyond its nutritional value. While maize, wheat, and rice dominate agriculture, sorghum offers distinct advantages, including:

• Nutritional Benefits: Sorghum is gluten-free and rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins, making it ideal for combating malnutrition.
• Climate Resilience: A hardy crop, sorghum thrives in drought and heatwave conditions, grows in marginal soils, and requires fewer inputs like fertiliser.
• Economic Versatility: Sorghum supports multiple income streams, including human food (e.g., traditional African beer), animal feed, and biofuel production.

Despite these benefits, sorghum’s production has declined due to competition with maize and wheat, market volatility, pest issues, and the fact that sorghum is the only grain subject to VAT in South Africa, affecting its market competitiveness.

The Revival Strategy

In 2022, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) launched the Sorghum Value Chain Upgrade Feasibility Study, identifying the potential of sorghum as the second most important grain in Africa and the fifth globally. Key goals of the initiative include:

• Increasing local sorghum production to 500,000 tonnes annually.
• Boosting local consumption by 15% per year.
• Expanding the export market by 250,000 tonnes annually.
• Planting 100,000 new hectares of sorghum.
• Establishing a rural food processing hub in the Eastern Cape to create entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Advocating for VAT-exempt status for sorghum to enhance competitiveness.

The Sorghum Cluster Initiative (SCI) coordinates this revival, bringing together government departments, agricultural organisations like Grain SA, and research bodies such as the Southern African Grain Laboratories (SAGL) and the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR).

Pannar’s Role

With nearly 50 years of experience in sorghum breeding, Pannar is deeply invested in its revival. The company’s initiatives include:

• Maintaining a sorghum breeding programme to provide high-performing hybrids suited to local conditions.
• Participating in trials to showcase cultivars and share production information.
• Supporting small-scale farmers through financial contributions, seed donations, and collaborations with Grain SA.
• Actively addressing the industry’s challenges as a member of SANSOR.

Why Now?

Sorghum holds the potential to address critical challenges in South Africa:

• Food Security: Diversifying diets with nutrient-rich crops can combat malnutrition and reduce stunting in children.
• Climate Change: Sorghum’s adaptability makes it a valuable ally in sustainable farming.
• Economic Growth: Increasing sorghum cultivation can boost rural employment and create new market opportunities.

By harnessing sorghum’s potential, South Africa can transform this ancient grain into a modern solution for food security, sustainability, and economic development.

Total Words: 464

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Reviving Sorghum in South Africa
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