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Kenya has started to export improved sorghum seeds to neighbouring countries in a bid to increase their production to meet increasing demand for the product.

Even though some of these countries produce more sorghum, the region’s seed traders have turned to Kenya for unique seeds that can tolerate drought as well as emerging pests and diseases.

A Sudan-based Seed Company, Nile Sun Seed Company Ltd has confirmed plans to acquire improved sorghum varieties from Kenya in order to increase production and thus meet demand which is being propelled by rapid urbanisation.

Managing director Elzubeir Ibrahim Mohamed said even though Sudan produces huge volumes both for animal feed production and food, his company is interested in Kenya high yielding varieties with very good parental lines. 

According to International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro), there is high interest in improved sorghum seeds in the last five years by the private sector in the East and Southern Africa region.

Data by Egerton University indicates that worldwide production of sorghum stands at 63.08 million tonnes.