Post by Trade facilitator on Mar 23, 2021 22:52:54 GMT 1
Sorghum Production: FGN and Stakeholders Plan To Dominate The International Market
Nigeria is currently one of the biggest players in the sorghum production business in the world, only the United States of America and India are leading the country as far as sorghum (Guinea Corn) production is concerned in the world.
The country now plans with other important stakeholders in the country to upstage the other countries in order to dominate the business.
The Federal Government officials had a crucial meeting recently with important stakeholders to brainstorm on how to increase the production in order dominate the international market.
This encouraging news was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Information, Theodore Ogaziechi, while the Minister of Information and Rural Development maintained that the Muhammadu Buhari led administration is poised to engage in massive production of the commodity in the country that is needed mainly by brewers, bakers, and other stakeholders.
The meeting had a Theme: ‘Streamlining Existing Sorghum Varieties, Commercialization and Product Development in Nigeria, held in Bauchi State, Nigeria. They also expressed the optimism that an inclusive strategy will go a long way to strengthen the sorghum value chain towards increased productivity in tackling the threats of food scarcity in the country.
He said that the government is using this policy to increase productivity, promote small, medium and large scale commercial production using high yield varieties and hybrids. The government plans to promote value addition of the crop as raw materials for the industrial food markets, livestock feeds, and highly nutritional well-packaged food products for local and international markets.
The Ministry is ensuring accelerated sorghum production and value addition towards self-sufficiency to meet industrial requirements as well as boost farmers’ income and generate employment in the country.
The Minister said that Sorghum has continued to assume great industrial relevance with many multinational companies, especially in the brewery industry, through the use of sorghum grits as adjuncts (up to 40%) to barley base (mash) for making alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The Minister also added that sorghum composite with wheat flour is used to serve as main ingredients in the production of bread, biscuits, cakes, couscous, infant foods, and cookies.
He also mentioned others to include noodles, spaghetti, and macaroni. In the industrial sector, sorghum as grits are used for the production of aluminum-ore, refining, animal feeds, building materials, and foundry binders.
Can it be cultivated in the Southern part of the country?
Sorghum is also known as Guinea Corn, and we believe that it can only be cultivated in the Northern part of the country. This belief is because of the long held opinion that it only grows in the warm climate.
There is the possibility of growing sorghum in the Southern part of the country even though the nature of sorghum is wired for the warmth region.
What you need to achieve that is simply the right timing, planning and the correct type of seedling. There are different types or varieties of seeds available that can be used to achieve your needs in farming.
What you should do if you want to cultivate it in the south is, plant the seed during harmattan or at the beginning of dry season in the south, and be sure to use irrigation methods.
Use the varieties that are made to grow under hot climate. Some people have started farming sorghum in the Eastern part of the country, and they are really doing very well.
So if you are interested in joining the Federal government in achieving what they had set out to do, use the following method to achieve good production.
You know that under normal circumstances Sorghum farming originated from Northern Africa, and therefore must be used to hot weather. For you to farm it in the south, follow this process:
Plant them close to each other
Use less fertilizer
Use less water
Use improved seedling variety
You see that you can be a player in this business no matter where you reside in Nigeria.
Actually there are towns and villages in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states that I personally know that one can grow Sorghum (Guinea Corn) because of long periods of hot weather in the year.
Stay with us as we shall be bringing to you a complete article on sorghum cultivation very soon.
