After decades neglect in favour of exotic food crops like rice and maize, indigenous African crops are making a return to the farms – and dining table – as research into “orphaned” crops builds capacity for commercial production that is poised to raise food security and industrial raw material.

The revival and restoration of indigenous crops, according to plant scientists and biotechnologists who met recently in Uganda, is informed by new findings that show exotic crops had significantly contributed to exhaustion of soils, exacerbated by sluggish regeneration nutrients.

Scientists and researchers from Kenya Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and China, who met in Uganda early this month discuss, ‘Sweet Sorghum Hybrids for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa’, have expressed optimism that the sorghum can mitigate rising food insecurity. The sorghum project is funded by the Alliance of National and International Science for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), a Chinese science organisation.

Kenya’s biotechnologist, Dr Sylvester Anami, a lecturer at the Institute of Biotechnology Research of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), is the principal investigator in the project.

Dr Anami is championing expansion of acreage under sorghum in Kakamega that will provide a staple food alternative and industrial growth.

The biotechnologist says the project that has brought on board involving farmers in Kakamega’s Ikolomani and Kisumu’s Nyando regions has not only enhanced access to improved seeds but also empowering communities to adopt sorghum as a staple food, enriching diets and improving livelihoods.

“Over 100 farmers and their families are already benefiting from the initiative, with enhanced knowledge and access to training through organizations like the Shimanyiro Sorghum Farmers’ Association and the Mukongolo Consumer Cooperative. Also, the knowledge-sharing sessions and exchange visits between Kakamega and Kisumu farmers have strengthened networks, ensuring the sustainability of sorghum farming across western Kenya,” says Anami.

The provision of hybrid seeds and training on best farming practices will enable smallholder farmers to maximise their productivity and income potential. This, Anami avers, ensures they are fully integrated into the value chain and can benefit from higher value-added products.

Prof Hai Chun Jing from the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who is leading the Chinese partnership in technology development and transfer, put emphasis on the importance of selecting and breeding high-yielding, drought-resistant varieties that can thrive in the diverse agro-ecological zones of Africa.

Prof Hai Chun also noted the significant success of the collaboration and appreciated the efforts of all partners involved, stating, “We are building sustainable pathways for technology transfer that will benefit African institutions and generations of African farmers.”

In a past interview, Dr Anami outlined of Tell Media about the need for Kenyans to embrace indigenous crops as he world grapples with climate change and rapid soil exhaustion as a result of overuse and over-dependence on exotic crops. He chaired the Sweet Sorghum Hybrids for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa conference, during which he outlined plans of the project to reach 10,000 resource-poor farmers across the participating countries.

The project held a review and evaluation meeting on February 5-6, hosted by the Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI), a private research, development and academic institute that builds the capacity of individuals, communities, ministries and governments to access and use science, technology, and innovations in exploration, production, processing, and manufacturing. TRIDI is playing a significant role in the implementation of the project.

Dr Clet Wandui Masiga, the executive director of TRIDI-Uganda, pointed out in his presentation that having a private sector partner in the sweet hybrid sorghum project offers strategic advantages.

He stated, “TRIDI, with its expertise in agricultural innovation, market-driven solutions and capacity for private sector collaboration, plays a key role in bridging the gap between research, smallholder farmers, and the broader agricultural market.”

He emphasised, “The team will ensure that scientific innovations translate into practical benefits for farmers across the region.”

Prof Abdalla Hassan Mohamed, a plant scientist who specialises in sorghum breeding and genetics from the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) in Sudan, discussed the value addition and industrialisation of hybrid sweet sorghum.

He noted that hybrid sweet sorghum presents vast economic opportunities across various sectors, such as processing sorghum into food products, establishing micro-distilleries for ethanol production, producing syrups, developing animal feed products and creating sustainable market linkages. He emphasised that hybrid sweet sorghum could be transformed from a subsistence crop into a multifaceted industrial resource.

He further stressed the need for strategic investments in processing infrastructure, coupled with strong partnerships between farmers, processors and markets. Such efforts could foster a thriving sorghum value chain, contributing to food security, rural development and climate resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Prof Mohamed, adopting hybrid sweet sorghum would allow farmers to increase their productivity per hectare, leading to higher income.

Hybrid varieties typically produce more grain and biomass compared to traditional sorghum varieties, which can be sold for food, animal feed, and industrial processing. In addition, hybrid sorghum’s drought resistance helps farmers avoid financial setbacks caused by crop failure due to water scarcity, which is becoming an increasing concern with climate change.

Sweet sorghum, known for its resilience to low moisture and pest resistance, has proven to be a game-changer for farmers in East Africa. Trials of seven sweet sorghum hybrid varieties supplied by Hai-Chun Jing, are underway in Kenya at JKUAT’s Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre (SAJOREC) Modern Agriculture Demonstration Area, Kakamega, Kisumu and Machakos.

Initial harvest results indicate that the sweet sorghum hybrids outperform local varieties in yield per acre, have higher sugar content (Brix levels), deter birds and exhibit resistance to pests such as Striga, a parasitic weed that affects cereal crops.

According to literature available, the high sugar concentration makes the stalks sticky and less palatable for many bird species, while certain varieties also have tannins or other natural compounds that discourage feeding. Additionally, the compact seed heads of some sweet sorghum hybrids make it harder for birds to access the grains compared to other cereals like millet or traditional sorghum varieties.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) via its Institute of Biotechnology and Research (IBR) is championing the sorghum project hat addresses food insecurity and climate change impact in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The three-year initiative that commenced in July 2024 and funded by ANSO, is evaluating and promoting sweet sorghum hybrids for diverse uses, including bioethanol production, animal feed and biofertilisers, besides food and nutritional security.

In collaboration with Agricultural Research Corporation-Sudan, the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) in Uganda, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), and the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the project covers Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Sudan.

The project’s impact extends beyond farming, with premium laced on value addition and industrial applications. In Kakamega County, a 100- kilogramme capacity micro-distillery and a sorghum mill have been procured, paving the way for bioethanol production and other value-added products.

The construction of a community seed bank is underway to secure indigenous and hybrid sorghum varieties, while farmers are trained in business and financial management to prepare for future entrepreneurial ventures.

In Uganda, efforts are underway to produce hybrid seeds from parent lines, while partner countries continue to share expertise in breeding, cultivation, and value addition. These efforts have already generated academic outputs, with one paper presented at an international conference and multiple manuscripts and a book in development to document the findings.

Looking ahead, the second year of the project will focus on scaling up the production of bioethanol, animal feed, and biofertilisers using sweet sorghum hybrids. This initiative holds the promise of transforming agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a sustainable solution to food security challenges, and establishing new industrial opportunities.

Dr Anami believes that this initiative is not only empowering farmers but also positioning sweet sorghum as a catalyst for a sustainable circular economy across the continent.

• A Tell report