Scientists at Ahmadu Bello University's agricultural research arm cooked up sorghum varieties that help farmers dodge security problems in the north. Professor Ado Yusuf said the new plants only grow about one meter tall instead of the usual two meters, and that makes it harder for criminals to hide in the fields. The institute also rolled out biofortified versions packed with iron for people dealing with anemia, plus strains that can fight off pests like striga.
The three releases called SAMSORG 52, 53, and 54 mature faster and can pull 1.3 tonnes per hectare compared to the old 500-kilogram average. Yusuf mentioned that sorghum creates massive demand from breweries trying to cut foreign exchange costs, and production across the country might crack seven million tonnes. The crop feeds millions in northern states where people eat it twice daily, and researchers are tackling disease resistance while boosting nutritional value at the same time.
The three releases called SAMSORG 52, 53, and 54 mature faster and can pull 1.3 tonnes per hectare compared to the old 500-kilogram average. Yusuf mentioned that sorghum creates massive demand from breweries trying to cut foreign exchange costs, and production across the country might crack seven million tonnes. The crop feeds millions in northern states where people eat it twice daily, and researchers are tackling disease resistance while boosting nutritional value at the same time.
