DavNor town conducts sorghum adaptability trial

ASUNCION, Davao del Norte - Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in partnership with the provincial government conducted the first adaptability trial of sorghum seeds in Brgy. Magatos last week.

Secretary Emmanuel Pińol led the turnover of sorghum seeds to Governor Edwin Jubahib as well as the ceremonial planting of the seeds. The adaptability trial of Sorghum under Davao del Norte condition aims to modify cultural practices in sorghum production with an area of 2,500 sq. meter.

He said that it will be an alternative crop on the Fusarium wilt stricken soils. “I have seen the struggle of the banana farmers here because of Fusarium wilt and Sorghum can be the best alternative to cope up with their losses,” Jubahib said.

The province of Davao del Norte is eyeing to plant 400 hectares of Sorghum which will eventually be expanded to various municipalities.

He also emphasized that there is an available market for Sorghum where it can be sold at PHP12 per kilo.

Piñol revealed the huge market potential of Sorghum. “Two major feeds, poultry and livestock companies, PILMICO of the Aboitiz Group and Thailand’s biggest multi-national agriculture company, CP Foods Philippines, have also expressed intent to enter into a marketing agree

ment with farmers producing sorghum,” said Piñol.

For his part, Jubahib vowed to help in the sustainability of the project. He said that about 2,000 hectares were damaged by Fusarium wilt which needs to be addressed. “We have seen that sorghum can be the best option to save the banana farmers from their losses. I hope many will try planting sorghum because we have a ready market for this,” he added.