Jammu and Kashmir is set to release new forage sorghum varieties in 2025, marking the first successful adaptation of this dryland crop to the region’s temperate climate. The initiative follows advanced on-farm trials of elite sorghum lines conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir.
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), known as “The King of Millets,” is a drought-tolerant cereal crop originating vital for food and feed in semi-arid regions, and ranks as the fifth largest cereal crop globally, with diverse uses including nutrition and industrial applications.
Focus on Dual-Purpose Varieties
The partnership between ICRISAT and SKUAST aimed to promote dual-purpose sorghum varieties that provide both grain and forage. These varieties seek to enhance food, feed, and fodder security, addressing a critical feed supply-demand gap in the region’s animal husbandry sector, which is vital for the local economy. Currently, the region is facing a 40% fodder deficit.
“This initiative reflects ICRISAT’s commitment to delivering demand-driven innovations. Partnering with SKUAST has allowed us to co-develop sustainable solutions that benefit smallholder farmers and the broader agricultural sector.”
Challenges in Livestock Rearing
Livestock rearing is essential in the Kashmir Valley, providing necessary protein and employment opportunities. However, the limited availability of nutritious feed poses a significant challenge, particularly at high altitudes. Fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has been identified as a promising solution, offering high biomass production of up to 50 tons per hectare, adaptability to local conditions, and high nutritional value. Its cultivation can improve livestock productivity and enhance the rural economy, benefiting marginalized communities, especially smallholder farmers and landless laborers who depend on animal husbandry.
“This marks a significant step toward achieving feed, fodder, and livelihood security, especially for underprivileged tribal communities in high-altitude areas.”
Comprehensive Evaluation Program
To support this initiative, a comprehensive multi-environment evaluation program was established to identify high-yielding, nutritionally rich sorghum genotypes suited for the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley. The trials, conducted over two cropping cycles, assessed biomass yield, nutritional quality, and adaptability to low temperatures, leading to the identification of superior cultivars.
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Dr. Ephrem Habyarimana, Principal Scientist – Sorghum Breeding, remarked, “Developing elite sorghum lines tailored to Kashmir’s high-altitude ecologies is a remarkable achievement that will further inform our efforts to extend the cultivation north of 40° latitude.”
The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock production and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalized farmers across the Kashmir Valley by releasing these cold-tolerant sorghum varieties in 2025.