KUALA LUMPUR: A local sorghum strain developed by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is a cost-effective potential alternative to imported animal feed, researchers say.

The Putra SB2 sorghum variety has abundant leaves and high levels of carbohydrates and sugars, making it suitable for use as fodder for ruminant livestock like cattle and goats and as a replacement for Napier grass.

Sorghum is a hardy cereal grain crop capable of withstanding hot and dry weather. However, the researchers also noted several obstacles that need to be addressed before it can become a viable feed alternative, including farmers' resistance to switching to this crop.

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"Apart from that, unlike corn, Putra SB2 can regrow up to three times without needing the soil to be ploughed again after each harvest," UPM’s sorghum fodder lead researcher Dr Nazatul Shima Naharudin said in a recent interview.

"This directly reduces farm management costs and saves time.

"So, Putra SB2 can be seen as a sustainable local solution… it is also more stable in terms of costs."

Nazatul Shima, an associate researcher at UPM’s Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS), said the variety developed by her team offers several advantages over corn and Napier grass, one of which is its low water requirement.

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She said with its hardiness and ability to regrow continuously, sorghum can also help mitigate the impact of climate change on the animal feed supply chain.

Putra SB2 can be harvested as early as 60 days after planting, compared to the 90 days required for corn fodder.

"This allows for faster crop rotation and more efficient land use. From an agronomic standpoint, the Putra SB2 sorghum variety can also thrive with minimal fertiliser input.

"In terms of yield per hectare, Putra SB2 can produce nearly 70 tonnes per hectare at (each) harvest,” she said.

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Malaysia's heavy reliance on imported animal feed is among the biggest challenges faced by its livestock industry in supplying affordably priced meat to the public.

Rising prices of major grains such as corn and soybeans, the main components of animal feed, have increased livestock farming operating costs as the ingredients are largely imported from countries like Argentina, Brazil and the United States.

At least 60% of these operating costs are attributed to animal feed.

Research into more cost-effective alternatives was spurred further by supply chain disruptions owing to climate change and global political uncertainties.

ITAFoS director Prof Dr Anjas Asmara Samsudin, meanwhile, pointed to the need for farmers to be given knowledge and training in sorghum cultivation and management.

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"Our innovation also aligns with government policy to strengthen national food security through increased local production.

"We cannot be overly dependent on imported animal feeds as it makes our industry vulnerable to external crises like wars or pandemics,” he said.

Prof Anjas Asmara, however, added that although the benefits of sorghum are clear, there are still some challenges in adopting it as a primary fodder crop in the country.

"One of the challenges is the attitude of farmers who are reluctant to switch to another fodder crop. They are more comfortable using corn because they are already familiar with it.

"Sorghum requires a slightly different management technique, which can be a barrier for farmers who are less exposed to the new technology,” he said.

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Another issue is the availability of sorghum seeds in the local market. He said to overcome this, the government and agricultural agencies need to provide more support, such as supplying quality seeds to farmers, offering them training and financial incentives to expand the use of sorghum.

Nazatul Shima, meanwhile, said ongoing research into sorghum is essential to fully realise its potential in the livestock industry.

The development of new sorghum varieties like Putra SB2 offers hope to farmers in controlling their production costs, which in turn can lower prices for end consumers, she said.

To that end, UPM is collaborating with agricultural agencies and the private sector to ensure this innovation can be expanded nationwide.

"We’re not just supplying seeds but also providing training modules to ensure farmers fully understand the crop’s potential and how to manage it,” she added.

She said wider use of sorghum can have a positive impact on the national economy while also helping to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Malaysia’s agricultural sector. – Bernama