Sorghum might be a less well-known grain on the world food stage. However, it offers several benefits, making it an attractive crop choice for both small and large-scale agricultural operations.
This non-GMO, gluten-free, ancient grain has piqued the interest of farmers in South Africa for several reasons. Not only is it drought and heat-tolerant, it can grow in a range of soil types, has a short growing season, and there’s a growing market demand.
Aspiring sorghum farmers – listen up!
If you’ve ever wondered about sorghum farming in South Africa and whether there are opportunities for you to make money out of this indigenous crop, then this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track is for you.
Siphiwe Sithole, founder of African Marmalade, joins the podcast to share more about sorghum farming. She unpacks South Africa’s production levels as of 2022, growing schedules, as well as water and soil requirements.
Sorghum is an annual grain that normally reaches a height of 1-2 meters, Sithole says. It grows well in regions with warmer climates like KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, Free State, and other provinces. What’s great about it, is that it can grow in various soil types.
A grain you can always count on
“Sorghum is one of those crops that would just thrive and give you a good yield even in a bad year,” Sithole shares.
She also expands on the main buyers of sorghum, and how consumers are enjoying it.
In this episode, Sithole also discusses:
- How sorghum is a climate-smart crop;
- Essential requirements for optimal growth; and
- Market opportunities.
Catching up with this week’s #SoilSista
Also in this episode, we celebrate #SoilSista Phumzile Chifunyise. Networking is a major key player for any successful business and Chifunyise walked away from the corporate world in 2019 with a great foundation of knowing people and learning what she needed to kick off her agricultural journey.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
ALSO READ: Farmer development is the pathway to success
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