Alternative To Rice! Indian Jowar Grows Well In Alamada Lowland Farm

The Indian Jowar or the Indian White Sorghum, grown mainly for food, is performing well in a Demo and Trial Farm established in Barangay Pigcawaran, Alamada, Cotabato 6 weeks ago.
The Jowar Seeds were given to me by Remus Morandante and Frank Aguda of Seedworks who asked me to plant this new grains variety as part of my Food Security Advocacy.
Honestly, I was not impressed initially by what I saw in the internet and what I learned about Jowar, mainly because of its notoriously low yield per hectare, averaging only 2-metric tons.
But I realized that Indian soil and climate could be the limiting factors in the production of Jowar and the more fertile soil and better climate in Mindanao could possibly increase production.
When I checked on the Demo and Trial Farm yesterday, I was impressed by the growth of the Jowar in 6 weeks and what remains to be established now would be whether its yield per hectare would make it a viable alternative cereal for rice.
A publication about the Indian Jowar made these claims of benefits:
“The high nutrient composition of Jowar makes it a desirable grain when it comes to good health. Here are some of the several benefits of this whole grain:
“1. Gluten-free
Gluten is a protein component found in wheat and barley-based foods. It causes digestive problems such as bloating, pain, and stomach cramps. Jowar, a gluten-free whole grain, is considered an excellent alternative for people who suffer from ‘gluten intolerance’.
“2. Jowar Rich in Fiber
Compared to other cereal grains like barley or rice, jowar contains a much higher concentration of fibre. A single serving contains over 12 grams, which is almost half the recommended daily intake for fibre. A high-fibre diet lowers the risk of obesity, stroke, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, diabetes, and digestive problems.
“3. Jowar Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Jowar is a complex carbohydrate that digests slowly. As a result, it leads to stable blood sugar levels. Hence, it is a great diet choice for diabetics and people who want to lose weight.
“4. Jowar High in Protein
100 grams of Jowar provides 11 grams of protein, which supplies the body with energy and aids in cell regeneration.
“5. Full of Iron
Jowar contains 8.45 mg of iron in every cup. Since the iron in jowar is non-heme (difficult to absorb), pairing it with a source of Vitamin C will give you the maximum benefit.
“6. Jowar Good for Bone Health
Because it contains high magnesium levels, jowar helps maintain calcium levels in the body (magnesium increases calcium absorption).
“7. Packed with Vitamins, Minerals, and Micronutrients
It contains B vitamins, which help the body build new tissues and cells and potassium and phosphorus. Additionally, Jowar contains traces of zinc, copper, and over 20 micronutrients and high levels of antioxidants.
“8. Jowar Helps Weight Loss
Jowar has a much higher concentration of dietary fibre when compared to other cereal grains. This high fibre content ensures higher satiety levels, lowering consumption by keeping hunger pangs at bay. Therefore, the fibre content in Jowar reduces your appetite, making it the ideal whole grain option for weight loss.
“9. Jowar Improves Digestive System
The high dietary fibre content in Jowar also helps improve digestion. The fibre is a bulking agent that helps stool pass smoothly through the digestive tract. The whole grain helps improve digestive health and helps to treat conditions like diarrhoea, bloating, stomach ache and constipation.
“10. Jowar Improves Heart Health
The abundance of fibre in jowar helps lower LDL (or bad cholesterol) levels in the body, thus reducing the risk of a heart attack. The cholesterol-lowering properties of jowar also reduce the chances of hindered blood flow, arteriosclerosis and plaque formation. The whole grain also contains antioxidants, apart from nutrients like magnesium, iron, and vitamins B and E. As a result, it helps avoid several cardiovascular conditions. Jowar also helps regulate plasma LDL cholesterol concentration while improving the HDL levels in the body.
“11. Jowar Improves Energy Levels
Sorghum contains high amounts of niacin (or Vitamin B3). The B vitamin is integral in transforming food into energy usable by the body. Niacin ensures that the energy levels in the body are consistent throughout the day rather than observing sudden spikes of energy. A rich source of niacin, a single serving of Jowar accounts for 28% of the recommended daily intake.
“12. Jowar Boosts Blood Circulation
Iron and copper are two essential minerals found in Jowar. These minerals come together to play a vital role in improving the body’s blood circulation. Iron is crucial to developing red blood cells in the body, while copper helps enhance iron absorption in the body. Thus, consuming the grain helps improve the development of red blood cells. It also improves the overall circulation of blood in the body while reducing the chances of anaemia. A single serving of Jowar can give you 58% of your daily recommended intake of copper.”
So now, we have another potential option to address rice shortage in addition to Adlai, the Indian Jowar.
In another 8 weeks, we would be able to determine whether the yield could justify the production cost.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#ItoMasMabutiKesaKamote!
(I took the first three photos yesterday of the 6-week-old Indian Jowar in the Demo and Trial Farm in Pigcawaran, Alamada owned by Barangay Chairman Max Arat. The fourth photo showing the head grains of the Indian Joward was downloaded from a public website.)