INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

KRISHI BHAWAN, NEW DELHI-110001

Press Release

Sorghum is profitable, healthy and helps in mitigating global warming claimed ICAR scientists

Hyderabad/ 22/11/11

The scientists of Indian Agricultural Research Council (ICAR) at Directorate of Sorghum Research (DSR), Hyderabad has claimed that sorghum varieties are capable of mitigating the impact of global warming by regulating the emission of greenhouse gases in the environment. The scientist also claimed that some varieties of Sorghum are completely fit into the new system of climate smart agriculture.

“Sorghum can play a vital role in mitigating the impact of global warming by regulating the emission of greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide, Carbon Dioxide and Methane. In Sorghum, the brown mid-rib varieties (bmr mutants) have lower lignin, and higher digestibility fits into the system of climate smart agriculture,” said Dr J V Patil, Director, Directorate of Sorghum Research (DSR), Hyderabad an institute of ICAR, interacting with mediapersons at DSR. “On an average net returns of Rs. 19,548/- is realised with improved technologies developed by the DSR at the cost of Rs. 11,598/- per ha,” claimed Dr Patil. According to the records with DSR, In rice-fallows of coastal Andhra Pradesh, sorghum is fast gaining popularity due to its high productivity ( 6.0 t/ha) due to high input agriculture . It is now estimated to be cultivated in more than 30,000 ha. DSR has also developed sweet sorghum hybrids, varieties and technology for bio-etanol and syrup production. “A symbiotic association of farmers and industry can benefit from sweet sorghum to produce clean energy without compromising food security as per the FAO guidelines,” added Dr Patil.

Sorghum is a widely row spaced (45 cm), medium duration crop (90-120 days) and versatile for growing intercrops for better use of natural resources. The scientist at the centre has also developed intercropping pattern of sorghum. “In assured rainfall areas and medium to heavy soils, intercropping of sorghum with pigeon pea (2:1 or 2:2 or 3:2) or soybean (2:4 or 3:6) produces higher yields, improves soil health and provides nutritional security to growers,” said Dr S V Rao, Senior Scientist of DSR (ICAR). The scientists at DSR also found that Sorghum is one of the cheapest sources of micronutrients (Fe and Zn) and with roughage and slow release of carbohydrates it is preferred food for diabetes and obese population.

DSR has several collaborating partnership projects both from national and international streams working on the aspects of production, processing and commercialisation. Among them the project “Production to consumption value chain” in the PPP mode and the Initiative on Nutritional Security in Millet Promotion Programme (INSIMP) are notable.

In the PCS value chain project DSR has developed processing technologies for - both ready to cook and ready to eat products from sorghum. DSR has developed and standardised technology for Jowar rawa, Jowar pasta, Jowar vermicelli, Jowar flakes and Jowar based multigrain atta. These have been commercialised under DSR’s brand Eatrite.

More of Sorghum products are such as Jowar Fine Rawa, Jowar Multigrain Roti, Coconut Cookies, Noodles, Salt Cookie, Jowar Crispies, Dosa Batter, Idli Mix, Jowar Pops, Jowar Roasted Flakes have been developed and are in process of standardization suitable for commercialisation and licensing.

DSR has been recognized as Centre of Excellence for Sorghum processing and value addition by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India and for Implementation of INSIMP project on establishment of Millet processing clusters covering 25000 villages in 1000 mandals across the millet growing states in the country under the RKVY.

However, Sorghum as a dry land crop at present doesn’t enjoy any support in marketing sector to help the growers. “Some of the policy interventions like procurement of sorghum at higher support prices, timely availability of quality seed to farmers, availability of credit through formal institutions to reduce interest rates and transaction cost, promoting mechanization in labour scarce regions and support for the dry land agriculture system, loan / crop insurance /treating on par with other advantageous groups goes a long way for to glorify this important dry land crop which is eco-, farmer- and consumer-friendly,” suggested Dr Patil.

Directorate of Sorghum Research under the ICAR has mandate to enhance productivity and economic returns to the growers by evolving and releasing cultivars, design package of practices and plant protection methods. In constant collaboration with the AICSIP , DSR has released several hybrids with distinct performance for Kharif (CSH 16 and CSH 25 are most recent releases with grain 4-5 ton/ha and fodder 6-8 ton/ha) and varieties for rabi ( Phule Yashoda, Phule Vasudha, Phule Anuradha, DS 4 and Phule Chitra based on soil depths).

About Sorghum:

Sorghum is an important dry land crop grown for food, feed and fodder/forage in our country. It is having drought and heat tolerance and performs well even under low input and management conditions that are common with the dry land farmers. It is a C4 crop having high biomass production per unit area over short time. It is grown on 7.76 m ha area with a production of 7.92 m tons and productivity of 1020 kg ha. Sorghum is grown both in rainy (about 40%) and post rainy seasons (about 60%). Sorghum productivity is enhancing resulting from the adoption of high yielding cultivars and improved management practices. Seventy percent of sorghum grain produced is used as food and the rest for feed industry (1.5 to 1.7 m t as animal/poultry feed) and other industrial uses (potable alcohol, starch, malt etc., from grain). Sorghum fodder is important to both milch and draught animals and the fodder fetches over 50% the grain prices. Sorghum with sugary juice rich stalks (sweet sorghum) is emerging as an important multipurpose bio-fuel crop.

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A Media Meet was organised at the Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad on 22-11-2011. This media meet was initiated and coordinated by the India News Communications Limited, New Delhi who are the Public Relations Agency of the Indian Agricultural Research Council. Before the media meet the INCL has given wide publicity by circulating a press release to various electronic and Print media across the country. Representatives from the electronic and print media have attended the meet and recorded various statements from the Director and other scientist participants

Welcoming the media personnel, Dr. JV Patil, Director has emphasised that the meet is essentially to convey the message that sorghum is an ideal crop for the low input agriculture with minimum damage to the environment and reduce the climate change deleterious effects while increasing the economy of the farmers and the health of the consumers.

Sorghum can play a vital role in mitigating the impact of global warming by regulating the emission of greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide, Carbon Dioxide and Methane. In Sorghum, the brown mid-rib varieties (bmr mutants) have lower lignin, and higher digestibility fits into the system of climate smart agriculture was the message given by Dr. HS Talwar, principal scientist sorghum. Speaking on the cost of cultivation Dr. JS Misra has informed that on an average net returns of Rs. 19,548/- is realised with improved technologies developed by the DSR at the cost of Rs. 11,598/- per ha. Dr. SV Rao, Principal scientist informed that iIn rice-fallows of coastal Andhra Pradesh, sorghum is fast gaining popularity due to its high productivity ( 6.0 t/ha) through high input agriculture . It is now estimated to be cultivated in more than 30,000 ha.

Dr. S. Audilakshmi gave a detailed account of the developments on the varietal releases . She told that the Directorate of Sorghum Research has mandate to enhance productivity and economic returns to the growers by evolving and releasing cultivars, design package of practices and plant protection methods. In constant collaboration with the AICSIP , DSR has released several hybrids with distinct performance for Kharif (CSH 16 and CSH 25 are most recent releases with grain 4-5 ton/ha and fodder 6-8 ton/ha) and varieties for rabi ( Phule Yashoda, Phule Vasudha, Phule Anuradha, DS 4 and Phule Chitra based on soil depths).

Dr. B Dayakara Rao had detailed about the collaborating partnership projects both from national and international streams working on production, processing and commercialisation. Among them the project “Production to consumption value chain” in the PPP mode and the Initiative on Nutritional Security in Millet Promotion Programme (INSIMP) are notable. He informed that in the PCS value chain project DSR has developed processing technologies for - both ready to cook and ready to eat products from sorghum. DSR has developed and standardised technology for Jowar rawa, Jowar pasta, Jowar vermicelli, Jowar flakes and Jowar based multigrain atta. These have been commercialised under DSR’s brand Eatrite.

Dr. SV Rao announced that DSR has been recognized as Centre of Excellence for Sorghum processing and value addition by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India and for Implementation of INSIMP project on establishment of Millet processing clusters covering 25000 villages in 1000 mandals across the millet growing states in the country under the RKVY.

Director, Dr. JV Patil emphasised the need to support sorghum by the policy makers at this juncture. Sorghum as a dry land crop at present doesn’t enjoy any support in marketing sector to help the growers. “Some of the policy interventions like procurement of sorghum at higher support prices, timely availability of quality seed to farmers, availability of credit through formal institutions to reduce interest rates and transaction cost, promoting mechanization in labour scarce regions and support for the dry land agriculture system, loan / crop insurance /treating on par with other advantageous groups goes a long way for to glorify this important dry land crop which is eco-, farmer- and consumer-friendly,” suggested Dr Patil.

On 16-11-2011 Directorate of Sorghum Research has celebrated it 24th Annual Foundation Day. The Programme has started with lighting of the lamp by representatives of Supporting, Technical, Office and Scientist members. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. SV Rao, Director i/C has requested that all the staff to dedicate themselves in making the Institute world class by generating scientific knowledge about sorghum which others can use and practice. Other speakers who recapitulated the achievements as well as blessed the DSR with their well wishes on the occasion include Dr. SS Rao Dr. JS Misra, Dr. Mahesh Kumar, Dr. Subbarayudu, Mr. Pramod Kumar and Mr. WS Bhat. Dr. Raghavendra Rao informed that as we are entering the silver jubilee this year, we need to gear up to make the next year event on a grand scale.

India News Communications Ltd, official PR Agency of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)