Overview of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor. L), its Economic Importance, Ecological Requirements and Production Constraints in Kenya

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolar (L) Moench) is an important cereal crop grown in arid and semi-arid areas. It is ranked as the fifth key cereal crop globally and acts as a source of grain, animal feed, pasturage, fodder, fiber, fuel, bioethanol, alcoholic beverages as well as building materials.  In Kenya, sorghum production is done mainly by smallholder farmers as a key food and cash crop. Most of the country’s crop production is mainly in the arid and semi-arid regions with an altitude of between 800 and 2,000 m above sea level. The country’s average sorghum yield ranges between 0.7-1ton/ha compared to variety specific average yield of >2 tons/ha. The production is mainly constrained by myriad of factors such as climate change effects, poor agronomic practices, poor fertility management practices, poor pest and disease management, lack of ready markets, lack of organized market infrastructure, poor research- extension- farmer linkages and access to credit facilities as well as poor sorghum processing and value addition technologies. The current work reviews sorghum crop, with emphasis on its biology, economic importance, ecological requirements, current production status in Kenya and production constraints.