France
June 7, 2023
For nearly 15 years, the international seed company Lidea has been committed to sorghum research and development. Thanks to a dedicated research programme, the company's determination to offer solutions adapted to the new climatic needs and the enthusiasm of a passionate team, Lidea is recognised as an expert in the field.
There is still a long way to go to raise this old cereal. But between creating new industrial outlets, highlighting the nutritional values of this crop for both feed and food and training farmers, everything is in place to change the growing habits of producers and ensure optimal soil rotation.
SORGHUM, A PROMISED OLD CEREAL
In 2022, around 40 million hectares of cultivated land worldwide are dedicated to sorghum and this level will remain stable. This puts sorghum in 5th place in the cereals category, with over 50% of the arable land in Africa. With an annual production of nearly 60 million tonnes, sorghum is proud to be used globally for food, feed and bioenergy. In Europe, the majority of production is used in animal feed, with a few niche markets in human food and the development of bio-ethanol production.
According to Sorghum-ID (organization with the aim of uniting European sorghum stakeholders) indicators, grain sorghum is grown on 183,000 hectares in Europe and the area under cultivation remains stable. France is the only exception, with a 17% drop in cultivated area, while Hungary is the best performer, with an increase of 37%.
Fodder sorghum has grown by 22%, to 114,500 hectares. It's a market that's growing year on year. In France, there is a 20% positive differential compared with last year. This difference rises to 53% in Hungary. In Europe, half a million hectares are devoted to sorghum cultivation, with around 300 Kha devoted to grain and 200 Kha to forage.
Europe still accounts for only a small proportion of the world's sorghum acreage, but this figure is set to rise in response to the worsening climate.
MORE AND MORE OUTLETS
Sorghum has many and varied outlets. Sorghum fodder is used for silage production (dairy farms, beef cattle, etc.) or for bioenergies such as biogas for methanisation and electricity production. 1 hectare of biomass sorghum can produce around 7,000m3 of biogas, and 1 tonne of grain sorghum can produce 290 to 410 litres of ethanol, so sorghum has a
place in many of today's energy projects to reduce our dependence on oil. Fibre-rich biomass sorghums are also used in the manufacture of biomaterials.
Processors recognise the many qualities of sorghum grain. Rich in protein, starch, high energy value, amino acids and complex fatty acids that improve the quality of the meat produced, it is prized as much for animal feed (livestock, pork, fish farming, pet food and poultry) as for human food. Rich in iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B9 and known for its antioxidant qualities, sorghum is used to produce pasta, porridge, flakes, spirits, vegetable milk, biscuits and pop-sorghum....
In Africa, sorghum seeds are commonly eaten in the form of flour or semolina; they are also used to make
traditional gluten-free beers. Nearly 60% of the continent's sorghum production is used for human consumption.
SORGHUM MEETS CLIMATE CHALLENGES TO FEED THE PLANET
Sorghum is highly adaptable to climate change, with low input and water requirements (over 80% of agricultural land has no irrigation). It therefore tolerates drought and high temperatures well in medium to deep soil without irrigation. By 2023, the trend in Europe and the rest of the world should be for an increase in both grain and fodder acreage.
LIDEA, EUROPE'S LEADING SORGHUM EXPERT
As an innovative seed company that listens to its ecosystem, Lidea positioned itself very early on as an expert, and even an influencer, in the dynamics and development of sorghum. Lidea's presence at the International Sorghum Congress 2023 with a stand dedicated to the Lidea Sorghum lab is proof if any were needed of its commitment and creativity for this species, which is still under cultivated throughout the world.
Lidea has always supported the development of this cereal by participating in the 1st European research programme, Eurosorgho, created in 2009. This constant genetic improvement enables Lidea to offer a highly diversified range, which is constantly being renewed, with excellent grain and forage performance. Nearly 20% of the sorghum sown in Europe is of Lidea varieties.
Today, the development of sorghum in Europe requires an official commodity price to improve visibility for storage organizations, traders, processors and farmers. In 2014, Lidea embarked on a real crusade to improve knowledge of the use of sorghum in animal feed, human food and bio energy among processors, by going directly to them to also encourage them to test sorghum as a raw material of excellence but also by training farmers in good agricultural practices, while investing in research.
Although sorghum originated in Africa, climate change has meant that local farmers have also had to rethink their practices. A Lidea team has been tasked with helping them to grow sorghum, offering them poor tannin varieties with adapted early genetics and dedicated training in production and cultivation practices. Further support has been given to the use of early genetics to optimize production for the needs of the region, i.e. the production of porridge, flour and
other human food products.
For example, Lidea trains African farmers to respect technical itineraries, including sowing density. In fact, the current practice in Africa is to sow in stacks of 3 to 5 seeds, due to the low germination capacity of common varieties. With the Lidea varieties on offer, farmers can sow in rows with just one seed per hole for a better distribution on the row and a better productivity.
The results of trials carried out since 2019 in West Africa show that yields can easily be quadrupled with our genetics compared with local varieties, and this over cycles that are 30 to 40 days shorter.
With a very short cycle, Lidea's early genetics help to reduce the consequences of the climatic accidents that have become more and more frequent in Africa in recent years and which are conducive to the development of some parasites such as Striga.
Large-scale trials on our grain and forage portfolio are currently being rolled out to check its suitability for different climatic conditions, and to put in place appropriate recommendations.
ABOUT LIDEA
Lidea company is a key player in the seed sector, operating across the entire value chain from the research, through production to marketing. Lidea is present worldwide, by distributing seeds in 55 countries, with a diversified portfolio of crops: maize, sunflower, sorghum, cereals, rapeseed, fodder, cover crops, soybean and pulses.
Lidea is above all 2,000 employees who are passionate and committed to the progress of agriculture and who drive it forward through certified seeds with high added value, innovative solutions and projects to meet the farmers’ requirements.