Whenever one posts on social media about the challenges in the maize industry, I often see responses from people arguing that South Africans should consume more sorghum. They correctly highlight the nutritious value of the crop and its resilience in challenging climatic conditions.

But with all these benefits, the sorghum industry has not taken off. The challenge is not that farmers refuse to plant it. It is due to weak demand for it – consumers are just not buying sorghum products in a way they do with other staple grains.

The issue of weak demand partly gave farmers hope that the use of sorghum in biofuels would provide a much-needed market for farmers. But this venture also did not take off. Thus, sorghum production has continued to decline in South Africa.

South African farmers planted 42 100 hectares of sorghum in the 2023-24 production season, down 75% from the area we planted in 1990-91. The production was 95 830 tonnes in 2023-24, down by 68% from 1990-91.

This is a disappointing picture, and with the promise of the biofuel industry remaining bleak, we may continue to see small plantings.

Listen to the podcast for more insights.

Richard Humphries, Sam Mkokeli and Amanda Murimba produce this podcast. Wandile Sihlobo website