PRODUCTION OF MALT OF FROM LOCAL SORGHUM
SUMMARY
In large parts of Nigeria, sorghum remains critically important for rural food security. Most production is consumed by the households producing the crop, and only a small proportion of harvests goes to the commercial market. Since many sorghum-producing areas still experience periodic food deficits, production must be increased in order to improve household food security. Sorghum area will continue to expand over the foreseeable future as rural populations expand and crop land is extended into drier and more fragile ecosystems. Average sorghum yields, which have been falling by 1.0 percent per annum since the early 1980s, will need to grow in order for food production to keep pace with population
Nigeria's population is equivalent to 2.46% of the total world population. Most of Nigerians live below the poverty level of (#200) per day which is equivalent to $1, majority of these people stay in rural areas where farming is their major occupation. Nigeria is the largest sorghum producer in West Africa, accounting for about 71% of the total regional sorghum output (Ogbonna, 2011). Nigeria’s sorghum production also accounted for 35% of the African production in 2007 (AATG, 2011). The country is the third largest world producer after the United States and India (FAOSTAT, 2012). However, 90% of sorghum produced by United States and India is destined to animal feed, making Nigeria the world leading country for food grain sorghum production.
Sorghum [Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench] is an indigenous crop in Nigeria, and though commercial needs and uses may change over time, sorghum will remain a basic staple food for many rural communities. The latter is especially true in the more drought prone areas of Nigeria where this hardy crop provides better household food security than
Nigeria becomes the highest sorghum producer in West African sub-region accounting for 71% the regional total sorghum output (Obilana, 2003). Globally the country leads in the sorghum production for human consumption and has risen from 5th position in 1995 (FAO, 1995) to be 3rd largest producer of sorghum in the world after USA and India where more than 90% of their sorghum harvested is used for animal feeds (Obilana, 2005). Sorghum is one of the most important staple foods in Nigeria; the grain is essentially used for human consumption as well as industrial raw material for the production of malt. The leaves and the stove are used as livestock feed and the stalks for thatching houses and making fences (FAO,