Drought in France boosts interest in sorghum as a less water-dependent crop

Repeated heatwaves and drought in France have increased interest in sorghum as a crop better able to withstand water shortages. According to CIRAD researchers, sorghum requires around 30% less water than corn on average, and experimental fields performed better under this summer’s hot conditions.

The issue has become particularly relevant amid losses in France’s corn crop. Farms that grow their own feed crops may need to rely more heavily on existing stocks or increase feed purchases during the winter.

In France, sorghum is still grown mainly for animal feed, but researchers believe the crop could find broader uses. Its advantages include a deep root system and greater yield stability under high temperatures and limited rainfall.

At the same time, sorghum yields in intensive production systems remain below those of corn. CIRAD notes that corn has benefited from decades of much greater investment in breeding and research, while sorghum’s potential has yet to be fully developed.

Another area of interest is food processing. France currently lacks a developed food value chain for sorghum, but researchers are already working on the use of sorghum flour in food products and see potential for sorghum bread and other products to emerge in the future.

Tags: weather conditions, France, sorghum