How sorghum can help solve global food security issues

By NATE BLUM, CEO of BlüMilo and the Sorghum United Foundation

Sorghum is a versatile, sustainable crop that supports the environment and agricultural industry. Sustainability-smart farmers who raise sorghum have found it to be resistant to heat and droughts and require 30% less water than comparable grains. Combined with a rich nutritional profile, large root biomass for carbon sequestration, and versatility in value-added products, sorghum has the potential to help solve global food security issues.

A healthy grain with a rich nutritional profile

According to the United Nations FAO, 20.3% of children under the age of five experience stunting. That’s nearly a quarter of the world’s children. The need for healthy and sustainable grain has never been more important than now, and sorghum provides just that.

Sorghum has an impressive nutritional profile and the potential to combat malnutrition and improve diets worldwide. It’s high in iron, calcium, B-vitamins, fiber, protein, and powerful antioxidants, beating a lot of other grains that currently make up the majority of our diets. Antioxidants found in most varieties of sorghum include flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. These are beneficial for reducing inflammation and cell damage caused by free radicals, boosting the immune system and heart health.

(Photo source: Sorghum United Foundation)

Sorghum provides a good amount of plant-based protein, making it perfect for vegans or vegetarians. The high fiber content of sorghum is beneficial for improving digestion and gut health and reducing constipation. Furthermore, sorghum is significantly lower in nickel than other grains. Nickel is a heavy metal linked to allergies (such as Systematic Nickel Allergy Syndrome) and other health problems like gastrointestinal issues or fibromyalgia.

On top of all that, sorghum is naturally gluten-free and non-GMO, making it perfect for people with celiac disease, gluten sensitivities, or health-conscious.   

Sorghum's versatility in value-added products

Sorghum is incredibly versatile and has various uses in value-added products such as animal feed, biofuels, and gluten-free foods. Generally, anything you can do with other grains, you can do with sorghum.

Food. Sorghum can be milled into flour and used to make pasta, bread, cookies, noodles, delicious baked goods like pancakes and waffles, and ready-made meals. It can be popped and turned into popcorn or flaked and used in cereals and granola bars and even replace gluten-containing ingredients in pre-cooked microwavable meals. The unprocessed whole grain has a rich, hearty flavor and a slightly chewy texture that can be cooked like quinoa or rice. The uses are endless and can cater to various dietary preferences, whether it be for gluten sensitivities, veganism, nickel allergies, or vegetarianism.

Biofuels. When it comes to using sorghum for biofuels, the yield of sorghum in ethanol is very comparable to that of corn. Sweet sorghum, specifically, is a promising crop for biofuel production. As a C4 crop, it has low input requirements and the ability to restore carbon levels in the soil, reduce global warming, and improve soil fertility. Sweet sorghum varieties can grow up to 14 feet tall and produce up to 50 tons of biomass in favorable conditions. Plus, it is more drought tolerant than maize and requires less nitrogen fertilizers, thus reducing the need for chemical input, making it more environmentally friendly.

Carbon sequestration. Sorghum has a deep root system with a much larger biomass than other grains, allowing it to reach nutrients and water by breaking through the hard compaction layer of the soil where other grains fail. Putting other crops in rotation with sorghum can make them more drought tolerant by being able to access water and nutrients past the broken compaction layer. Sorghum’s deep root system allows it to capture and sequester significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the soil.

Animal feed. Sorghum can be used as feed for animals, offering a nutritional composition similar to corn but with slightly higher protein and energy value. It’s an excellent energy source for pigs, poultry, and ruminants. Leftover stalks from harvesting can be grazed on by livestock, while the mature stalks can be used as hay or roughage. Sorghum is also gaining attention among poultry keepers due to its rich nutritional value and similar processing requirements to corn. It can also be used in bird food alongside other nutritious grains and seeds, providing a variety of essential vitamins and minerals for various pet bird species.

Diversified income streams

By utilizing crops that are more drought-tolerant and healthier, local communities can reduce their dependency on traditional crops that may not thrive as well as sorghum in arid regions or areas with unpredictable rainfall. The cultivation and processing of grains like sorghum offer significant value addition at the local level, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing food security.

Promoting sorghum cultivation and utilization worldwide

Our mission at the Sorghum United Foundation (SUF) is to promote greater awareness of our grain among consumers and producers. With a membership of over 4,000 individuals representing all points within the value chain, we are committed to establishing partnerships and initiatives that enhance sorghum cultivation and utilization globally.

We have established several MOUs with universities to support research and education efforts. Notable collaborations include those with Pioneer International University in Nairobi, African Women’s College in Zimbabwe, and Amity University in India.

We also work hand in hand with Advanta, the largest producer of sorghum, to develop innovative solutions and promote sustainable practices. Outside of our organization, we engage with other sorghum associations, primarily in the traditional industry to expand our reach and impact. Sorghum ID, a Europe-wide association, is another key partner in our efforts.  

Conclusion

Solving global food security issues is deeper than just ensuring people can eat. It’s also about creating new opportunities while they are eating and improving their health. Once we have food security from grains that are drought tolerant, healthy, and can be grown anywhere, alongside local value addition and economic development, we can have societies that can work on education, entrepreneurism, and job creation. This can contribute to additional conditions for political and local stability.

The Sorghum United Foundation is on a mission to solve global food security issues by promoting the incredible benefits sorghum and millets offer as a solution.