Sorghum

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal globally and the most important cereal in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. It is uniquely drought-tolerant among cereals due to its deep root system, waxy leaf surface, and ability to resume growth after drought stress. Over 500 million people depend on sorghum in Africa and Asia, primarily in dryland areas where maize and wheat cannot grow reliably. Sorghum is used for food (flour, porridge, flatbread), animal feed, brewing (traditional beer), and increasingly for bioethanol. It is a C4 grass with high water-use efficiency, making it a climate-resilient crop.

Sorghum is susceptible to 2 known diseases. Early detection is critical — use the CuraPlant app to scan leaves and get an instant AI diagnosis.

1. 1

   Select varieties appropriate for rainfall zone (early-maturing for drier areas)

2. 2

   Plant at 75 × 15 cm for grain sorghum, wider for dual-purpose types

3. 3

   Apply modest nitrogen (40-60 kg/ha) in semi-arid zones — match to expected rainfall

4. 4

   Protect grain from bird damage — this is often the biggest yield constraint

5. 5

   Harvest when grain is hard and at 20% moisture or less

6. 6

   Thresh and store at <12% moisture to prevent grain mold and insect damage

Strategic companion planting reduces pest pressure, improves pollination, and can significantly increase yields.

Active climate zones for Sorghum are highlighted below.