Kidapawan City – A Sorghum variety from a Texas company, Warner Seeds, is performing well under a simulated condition in field trials conducted in Kidapawan City, Philippines.
Sorghum W-5901 seeds given to me by the company owner himself, Jerry Monk, were planted Nov. 20, 2019 in a small plot in my farm.
The conditions were quite adverse as there was not much rain.
There was no fertilization and the weeds underneath were only cleared 50 days after planting.
The purpose of not applying fertilizer and not taking out the weeds was to simulate a condition where Sorghum would be planted by a farmer who does not have enough funds for fertilization and weeding.
At 2-months old, the Warner Sorghum variety W-5901 showed toughness even with the simulated adverse conditions.
The Sorghum will be harvested first week of March and that will be when the average yield will be determined.
Another field trial involving seeds from another company, Scott Seed, has been undertaken.
Both Warner Seeds ans Scott Seed have expressed interest in supporting the Sorghum Development Program of the Mindanao Develooment Authority.
Sorghum produces grains for animal and poultry feeds while its stalks are ideal for cattle or goat silage.
MinDA is promoting Sorghum in support of its Halal Beef, Poultry and Goat Meat Production Program.
These programs, including the Sorghum farming, will be introduced in the poorest provinces of Mindanao especially those in the Bangsamoro Region.
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