Grain Sorghum
Grain sorghum is indigenous to Africa and is an ideal crop for bioethanol production, meeting the requirements set forth by the South African Biofuels Regulatory Framework. This is due to several key characteristics, namely, that grain sorghum is:
- not a staple food in the South African market, therefore the use of grain sorghum for bioethanol feedstock does not threaten food security in South Africa
- a multi-use crop, with other uses including animal feed and (traditional) beer production, thereby improving the financial sustainability for grain sorghum farmers
- heat- and drought-resistant, underlining its reliability and sustainability as a bioethanol feedstock in the South African market
- able to be cultivated under rain-fed conditions without additional irrigation, which enables the productive use of fallow land without exerting additional pressure on South Africa’s scarce water resources
Grain sorghum, categorised as a summer crop, thrives even on marginal land. Marginal land is characterised by factors such as low agricultural potential, shallow soil, and a significant clay content. The capability to grow grain sorghum on such lands ensures that areas with high agricultural potential remain available for the cultivation of other crops, optimising the use of local farmland.
Currently, sorghum is produced primarily in the Free State, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. The following graph shows the sorghum production (in tons) for the 2022 season, broken down by province:
Over the past two decades, grain sorghum farming in South Africa has experienced a noticeable decline. However, this trend is set to shift as a result of the operational requirements of the Mabele Fuels plant. The substantial feedstock needs of the plant will amplify the demand for grain sorghum and boost sorghum farming locally. In addition, Mabele Fuels’ conscientious procurement strategy not only emphasises sourcing from the local market, but also places a significant focus on the empowerment of black emerging and commercial farmers. This multi-pronged approach ensures not just the revival of the sorghum farming subsection, but also promotes socio-economic development within the community.