Game Changer! 10-Year Sorghum Program To Boost Poultry, Livestock

A 10-year Sorghum Development Program which would target 1-million hectares all over the country could be a game changer in the country’s Poultry and Livestock Industry, especially Cattle and Small Ruminants.
With an average yield of 4-metric tons per hectare, Sorghum, which grows two ratoons after the first harvest, could ensure the poultry and hog industry of 12-M metric tons annually of high-protein feed material which could withstand long dry spells.
The Silage Materials from the stalks and leaves of Sorghum which remain green at harvest are estimated to be around 10-metric tons per hectare or effectively 30-million metric tons of feeds for Cattle, Goats and Sheep every year.
The Sorghum Silage is very critical in the development of the Cattle and Small Ruminants Industry.
In fact, one of the major reasons why the Ruminants and Dairy Sectors have not progressed is the lack of feeds.
Every hectare of Sorghum could produce silage materials enough to feed 20 heads Cattle and 100 heads of small ruminants for one year.
This alone will be a game changer because one of the biggest challenges of the country’s Cattle and Small Ruminants Sector is the availability of feed materials.
Sorghum Silage, kept or stored in anaerobic containers or bunkers could be kept for up to 5 years thus ensuring the availability of ruminants feeds even during long droughts.
Right now, I am crafting a 10-Year Sorghum & Ruminants Development Program which I will propose to the DA to be initially implemented by selected Regional Offices of the DA.
Each of the Pilot Regions which will introduce Sorghum Farming would also support a Private Sector Managed Sheep and Goats Multiplier Farms.
The DA, through its Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), could also provide funding support and loans to farmers groups or companies which will establish Cattle Fattening feed lots or multiplier farms.
From the Multiplier Farms, the Ruminants could be distributed to farming families who joined the Sorghum Production Program.
These families will be taught how to prepare Silage from the Sorghum stalks gathered after harvesting the grains.
This is the most practical and doable strategy to boost the country’s Poultry, Cattle and Small Ruminants Industry.
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