July 1, 2019
Philippines looks at Sorghum to meet the demand for feed. This press release covers the efforts taken up by the Department of Agriculture to boost sorghum production in the country.
BUTUAN CITY, July 1 — As the country’s livestock industry increases, the demand for feed materials also increases.
And this is where sorghum comes in.
Sorghum is an African grass species that produces round grains which is ideal for livestock and poultry feeds.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is boosting sorghum production in the country to supplement the Corn Production Program which has been the main source of animal feeds.
In the region, the DA Caraga’s Del Monte Lowland Rainfed Research Station conducted a Field Day on Sorghum and Soybeans on June 21 at Del Monte, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The hybrid sweet sorghum variety seeds used was part of the seeds distributed by DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol to the DA Regional Offices during the first Sorghum Field Day at North Cotabato. The seeds were planted on March 5 on a 2,500 sq. m. lot.
Sorghum requires less water and can survive in dry weather. The grain of sorghum is a good source of energy and protein. It has an estimated average production of 10 metric tons (MT) per hectare per harvest with three harvests in one planting season because of its ratooning capability wherein a crop will grow from the previous crop.
According to DA Caraga Regional Technical Director Nestor Burgos, 50-60% of feed ingredient is either corn or sorghum.
DA Caraga’s Field Operations Division Chief Rebecca R. Atega said that the Department is targeting 35 hectares to be planted with sorghum this year while a total of 1,500 hectares is targeted for next year. She added that DA’s interventions for sorghum include seeds, fertilizer, and village-level feed mill.
“The village-level feed mill development program will provide rural livestock and poultry growers access to affordable feeds using materials they can locally grow,” Atega said.
Original post on PIA
