Amazing sweet sorghum: Pampanga Agricultural College's initiatives in promoting and commercializing utilization as human food, animal feed and bio-fuel
2010
Soriano, H.M. Jr. | de Jesus, N.G. | Zabala, E.C. | Loria, R.O. | Cosio, R.D. | Rafael, R.R. | Solis, L.G. | Pineda, E.B. | Pineda, L.M. | Battad, Z.M., Pampanga Agricultural Coll., Magalang, Pampanga (Philippines)
Recognizing the potential of sweet sorghum, the Pampanga Agricultural College in Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines for the past three years has been conducting R and DE initiatives which include adaptability trials of different ICRISAT [International Crops Research Inst.for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Andru Pradesh, India] bred varieties and processing of nutritious sweet sorghum food products, animal feed and as a source of bio-fuel. Preliminary results were promising; hence, this paper describes some strategies relative to its promotion and commercialization. From five varieties of sweet sorghum tested under Pampanga conditions, SPV422 showed the highest stripped stalk yield and percent sugar yield, which are very necessary in ethanol production. The expected income per hectare per year was computed at Php 125,000.00.Its grain was also found to have comparable performance as replacement for yellow corn in the diet of broiler chickens. About 486 persons benefited from the project from January 2006 to date. Promotional activities conducted included field days exhibits, technology forum and demonstration. Participatory technology demonstrations at the farmers' field were also established to facilitate technology transfer among farmers in the countryside. Aside from various media exposures which include television, radio, and print, a book was also developed and published containing various sweet sorghum-based food recipes. The book offers not only as a valuable guide for homemakers in the preparation and development of alternative food products for family consumption, but also to encourage stakeholders and entrepreneurs to develop a potentially viable cottage industry that could generate additional income for farming families. While its grains and stalk were also tested to evaluate its potential as alternative for corn in poultry feeds preparation and forage for ruminant animals, the juice can be processed into bio-ethanol for low-cost cooking fuel in the rural communities.
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