Market Trends of africa sorghum seed Industry
Government initiatives and demand for improved varieties, along with the usage of sorghum in processing industries, are driving the acreage
- The area under cultivation of grain sorghum in Africa was 28.4 million hectares in 2022, which accounted for 22.5% of the area under the grains & cereals segment in the same year. The acreage under grain sorghum increased by 2.1% from 27.9 million hectares in 2017 to 2022. However, the acreage declined by 6.1% in 2019 compared to the previous year (2018) because farmers preferred to plant more profitable crops such as corn and oilseed. The decrease was also due to a lack of awareness about improved seed varieties and the drought during 2018-2022, which impacted the cultivation area in Africa. Developing countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya suffer from drought in the growing season, impacting the cultivation area in Africa.
- Nigeria was the major country concerning the acreage under sorghum, accounting for 20.3% of the region in 2022. The area under sorghum in 2018 declined by 3.9% compared to 2017, and it declined by 3.5% in 2019 compared to 2018. The decrease in the acreage is associated with the resurgence of Boko Haram (BH) activities in the major sorghum-producing regions in the country. Ethiopia was the second-largest country after Nigeria, occupying 5.9% of the African sorghum acreage in 2022. The cultivation area under sorghum is estimated to increase as countries such as Ghana have been providing subsidies to sorghum producers to cultivate more sorghum to satiate the demand in the country. Other countries, such as Kenya and Nigeria, are witnessing an increase in the demand for sorghum to meet the demand from industries operating in these countries.
- The demand from brewing industries and government subsidies for cultivation is estimated to drive the acreage under sorghum in the region.
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Disease resistant traits are the most preferred segment in sorghum cultivation due to the rising yield losses caused by diseases
- Sorghum is an important staple food crop in Africa. In sorghum, diseases play a significant role in deciding the yield and quality of produce. Sorghum is the host of numerous fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens that infect the crop cycle. Disease-resistant varieties help get a better yield, thus boosting their demand. In sorghum, fungal diseases are more common and cause high yield loss compared to viral and bacterial diseases. The common sorghum diseases are grain mold, ergot, smut, downy mildew, etc., which cause yield losses. Consequently, the demand for varieties with disease-resistant traits may surge in the region.
- Sudan, Nigeria, Niger, and Ethiopia are the major sorghum-producing countries in the region. The development of disease-resistant varieties and hybrids is the main focus for the management of sorghum diseases in the region. In 2020, Seed Co. company, in partnership with ICRISAT, developed a disease-resistant sorghum hybrid with a 23-34% higher yield and adaptability to diverse agroecologies in Zimbabwe and southern Africa.
- Sorghum varieties with wider adaptability to different soils, low and high tannin content, early maturity, and high uniformity are the other major popular traits that are in huge demand. Sekedo, Seso 1, and Seso 3 are insect and disease-resistant varieties developed by Victoria Seeds Limited in Uganda, Kuyuma, Sima, and ZSV 15 are some of the wider adaptable cultivars developed by Zamseeds, where the farmers prefer these varieties to get better yields.
- Therefore, to prevent increasing losses from biotic and abiotic stresses and increase productivity, the demand for sorghum seeds with advanced traits is projected to increase during the forecast period.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Africa is one of the major countries concerning the hybridization of sorghum, which is the fastest-growing crop, with collaborative programs
