Sorghum defies drought: acreage in Germany is slowly increasing

Published 2020년 12월 23일

Tridge summary

The article highlights the efforts of the German Maiskomitee, in collaboration with various partners, to estimate the cultivation figures for sorghum in Germany, a crop that is not specifically tracked in official statistics due to its small cultivation area. The data shows that sorghum accounts for nearly 0.1% of Germany's total arable land, primarily used as a replacement for biogas maize, especially in drought-stricken regions like Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg. The article also discusses the benefits of sorghum, such as its suitability for animal feed and its resilience in dry conditions, which make it a viable alternative to maize. Breeding advancements have led to a diverse range of sorghum types, some of which are as nutritious as maize silage. The future of sorghum cultivation in Germany hinges on its performance as a biogas feed and the availability of cold-tolerant varieties, particularly in the northern federal states.

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Original content

The cultivation figures for sorghum are not shown separately in official cultivation statistics. The corresponding data basis is too small. That is why the German Maiskomitee (DMK), together with state offices, chambers of agriculture and state statistical offices, calculated the relevant cultivation figures for sorghum. Giant millet, millet and sorghum or Sudan grass For this purpose, the individual data for millet, sorghum, millet and Sudan grass have been combined to form sorghum. Most of the cultivation data is only recorded from 2015. The cultivation area for sorghum was This corresponds to a share of sorghum of almost 0.1 percent of the total arable area in Germany. Sorghum has so far mainly been a substitute for biogas maize. Especially in the federal states that have been particularly hard hit by drought, a strong increase in sorghum has recently been seen. This applies to Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg, for example. But there has also been an increase in sorghum ...

Source: Agrarheute