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However, note Zohary and Hopf, "the archaeological exploration of sub-Saharan Africa is yet in its early stages, and we still lack critical information for determining where and when sorghum could have been taken into cultivation." Although rich finds of S. The last wild relatives of commercial sorghum are currently confined to Africa south of the Sahara - although Zohary and Hopf add "perhaps" Yemen and Sudan - indicating its domestication took place there. Origin Making molasses in rural Tennessee (1933) Sorghum is used primarily as poultry feed, and secondarily as cattle feed and in brewing applications. In India, increases in sorghum productivity resulting from improved cultivars have freed up 7 million hectares (17 million acres) of land, enabling farmers to diversify into high-income cash crops and boost their livelihoods. Some 194 improved cultivars are now planted worldwide. New varieties of sorghum from ICRISAT has now resulted in India producing 7 metric tons per hectare (2.8 long ton/acre 3.1 short ton/acre). The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has improved sorghum using traditional genetic improvement and integrated genetic and natural resources management practices. Leading exporters in 2010 were the United States, Australia and Argentina Mexico was the largest importer of sorghum.Īn international effort is under way to improve sorghum farming. In developed countries, and increasingly in developing countries such as India, the predominant use of sorghum is as fodder for poultry and cattle. In 2010, Nigeria was the world's largest producer of grain sorghum, followed by the United States and India. Grain sorghum is the third most important cereal crop grown in the United States and the fifth most important cereal crop grown in the world.
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It is usually grown without application of any fertilizers or other inputs by a multitude of small-holder farmers in many countries. Sorghum grows in harsh environments where other crops do not grow well, just like other staple foods, such as cassava, that are common in impoverished regions of the world. For some impoverished regions of the world, sorghum remains a principal source of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Sorghum has been, for centuries, one of the most important staple foods for millions of poor rural people in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa.
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Other names include durra, Egyptian millet, feterita, Guinea corn, jwari ज्वारी ( Marathi), jowar, juwar, milo, shallu, Sudan grass, cholam (Tamil), jola/ಜೋಳ (Kannada), jonnalu జొన్నలు (Telugu), gaoliang ( zh:高粱), great millet, kafir corn, dura, dari, mtama, and solam. Commercial Sorghum species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. These plants are used for grain, fibre and fodder. bicolor, sometimes Sorghum arundinaceum). A grain sorghum cultivarĬommercial sorghum is the cultivation and commercial exploitation of species of grasses within the genus Sorghum (often S. For the liquor made from sorghum, see Kaoliang wine.
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