Sweet sorghum: A Water Saving BioEnergy Crop

Biofuels (bioethanol and biodiesel) produced from renewable energy sources are gaining importance in the light of rising fossil fuel prices, depleting oils reserves and increasing ‘green house effect’ associated with the use of fossil fuels. Several developing and developed countries have made a mix of policies to promote the production and use of biofuels. Ethanol accounts for 90% of total biofuels production and use in different parts of the world at present. The major feedstocks currently used for ethanol production are sugarcane molasses in Asia and Africa, sugarcane juice in Brazil, and corn in the USA.
The dualpurpose nature of sweet sorghums—they produce both grain and sugarrich stalks—offers new market opportunities for smallholder farmers and does not threaten food, feed and fodder value of sorghum.