By Lebogang Mashala
While sorghum’s commercial use has evolved, this crop remains essential in many people’s diets in South Africa and should be reintroduced on farms.
Sorghum is indigenous to Africa and has been a staple food for many rural communities for thousands of years. Although its commercial uses may have changed over time, sorghum continues to play a vital role in many people’s diets, although it is a largely overlooked crop in South Africa. Reggie Mchunu, Pannar Seed’s Business Development Manager, shares several compelling reasons to reintroduce it on your farm.
Why is sorghum an excellent crop to grow?
We are all seeing changes in weather patterns that make farming more difficult. Sorghum is an easy crop to grow, as it prefers drier weather and can survive drought conditions and waterlogged periods. It can also grow in marginal soils unsuitable for maize, soya, or sunflower. Including sorghum in your crop mix is an excellent way to manage risk and give yourself a better chance at a profitable season. It is also a meaningful way to contribute to food security in our country and our continent.
Are there different types of sorghum?
Yes, there are. Grain sorghum is for human consumption, and forage sorghum is for animal feed. In South Africa, we grow two types of grain sorghum: sweet and bitter. Sweet sorghum is processed mainly for meal, rice, and grits, while bitter sorghum is used for brewing traditional beer. While forage sorghum is specifically for animal feed, grain sorghum provides a lot of crop residue that can be used for livestock feed.
Is sorghum better for people than maize, wheat or rice?
Different grains have different features, so you cannot simply say one is better. However, sorghum does have specific benefits that make it very good for people. Its high levels of dietary fibre improve digestive health, and it contains antioxidants that help our bodies fight cancer and heart disease. Sorghum contains no gluten, which makes it suitable for people with allergies. It is also rich in protein, which our bodies need, and is a carbohydrate that keeps blood sugar levels stable, making it a healthy choice for people with diabetes. One of the biggest advantages of sorghum is that it adds variety to our diets, which has many health benefits.
Is sorghum more expensive to grow than maize?
It can be – simply because we get better yields from maize on certain soils. However, you can grow sorghum on the soil where you cannot plant maize, and sorghum can withstand erratic weather patterns better than maize. Also, sorghum is less susceptible to pests and diseases; hence, you often need fewer crop protection products. Our advice is to grow different crops so that you can use the strengths of each crop to your benefit.
What should farmers bear in mind to grow a successful sorghum crop?
Sorghum loves heat. Soil temperature must be above 18°C for the seeds to germinate, so planting can start in most parts of the country in October. The plants grow best between 25°C and 30°C. Good yields are possible at high temperatures, but sorghum does not tolerate cold.
Grain and forage sorghum grow well in almost any soil, ranging from sandy to clayey. It prefers soil with a pH of 4.5 (KCl) – 5.5 (KCl) but can even cope with brackish soil to a certain extent. While sorghum can produce good yields on poor soils, it responds very well to good fertilisation, especially nitrogen.
Witchweed is like poison to sorghum – never plant it in soil overrun by this weed.
