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:
Denne historien er fra 19 April 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra 19 April 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
