Drought-tolerant Sorghum for Suitability Trial established in Capiz

PRESS RELEASE

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 kicked off the suitability trial of drought-tolerant crop, sorghum, at demo farms in Capiz.

Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter led the ceremonial planting of the crop in the agency’s Research Outreach Stations (ROS) in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, and in Astorga, Dumarao on January 4. Recoter said that by establishing demo farms in Sigma and Dumarao may assist in seeing whether sorghum is suitable for production in the province.

“Farm cooperators will be tapped to assist the research stations in planting sorghum in target areas. We will also link the farmers to feed millers and institutional buyers,” Recoter said.

The National Sorghum Development Program (NSDP), launched by Sec. Piñol in Kidapawan City, sees to benefit indigenous peoples groups (IPs) and other farmers who want to go into sorghum production. It will be implemented by the agency’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) this year.

“We are also eyeing to propagate sorghum in areas of Tapaz, Jamindan and Dumarao. We will be supporting the farmers through research and development, production and processing, and in marketing and enterprise development,” Recoter said.

Other varietal trials will be put up in other DA research stations across Western Visayas.

The launch is in support to Secretary Manny Piñol’s call for developing sorghum nationwide as an alternative source for livestock and poultry feeds.

“Sorghum can be used as feed ingredient aside from corn, and as another food staple,” Recoter said. “Sorghum will complement the rice and corn programs in support to the country’s food staple sufficiency program,” she added.

Sorghum is a drought-tolerant, hardy, easy-to-propagate and rich in protein crop which can be used as an alternative raw ingredient for animal feeds.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – RFO 6
Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) 6