LOCAL SORGHUM INNOVATION MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN EXISTING ANIMAL FEED

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.

The rising prices of major grains such as corn and soybeans – the main components of monogastric animal and ruminant feeds – which are entirely imported from countries like Argentina, Brazil and the United States, have increased livestock farming operational costs as more than 60 percent of these costs are attributed to feed.

With its hardiness and ability to continuously regenerate, sorghum can reduce the impact of climate change on the livestock feed supply chain.

This dependence on imported animal feed is no longer sustainable for the country, especially as the global market becomes increasingly uncertain due to factors such as supply chain disruptions caused by climate change and global political instability.

The urgent need for a cheaper and more sustainable local alternative has led researchers to conduct multiple studies, and one that has gained attention is sorghum, a hardy cereal grain crop capable of withstanding extremely hot and dry weather.

According to studies conducted by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the use of sorghum as an animal feed has shown very positive results as its protein and energy content is comparable to that of corn.

COST SAVING

Sorghum can be used in two forms – as grain or as fodder. However, its grain contains tannins, which are astringent compounds that can impair digestion, making it less suitable for monogastric livestock such as poultry.

However, UPM has successfully developed the Putra SB2 sorghum variety, which 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.

UPM Sorghum Fodder lead researcher Dr Nazatul Shima Naharudin (seated, centre) and UPM ITAFoS Director Prof Dr Anjas Asmara Samsudin (seated, right).

(Fodder refers to animal feed such as corn, grasses and plant-based proteins that are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of animals, whether in dry, fresh or pellet form. In this context, sorghum as a fodder crop, promises certain advantages in terms of costs and its potential for cultivation locally, making it a practical alternative to imported corn fodder.)

In a recent interview with Bernama, UPM’s sorghum fodder lead researcher Dr Nazatul Shima Naharudin said the variety developed by her team offers several advantages over corn and Napier grass, one of which is its low water requirement.

“Apart from that, unlike corn, Putra SB2 can regrow up to three times without needing the soil to be ploughed again after each harvest. 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,” explained Nazatul Shima, who is also an associate researcher at UPM’s Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS).

She added that 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 tons per hectare at (each) harvest,” she said.

EMPOWERING FARMERS

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.

In this context, support from government agencies and relevant institutions is crucial to ensure that the innovation developed by UPM researchers can be widely adopted in the national livestock industry.

Resilient grain crop innovations support the government’s aim to boost national food security via local production.

“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.

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.

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 providing financial incentives to expand the use of sorghum.

MORE SUSTAINABLE

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.

Farmers tend to use corn because it is more common, while sorghum requires different management which is difficult for those who are less technologically savvy.

To that end, UPM is actively 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, noting that with collaboration among the government, researchers and industry, sorghum can become a more sustainable and efficient alternative fodder for livestock over the long term.

Looking ahead, the use of sorghum in Malaysia’s livestock industry can not only reduce costs but also positively impact the sustainability of the agricultural sector, said Nazatul Shima.

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

She added the widespread 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.