The Commercialization of Sorghum and Pearl Millet in Africa: Traditional and Alternative Foods, Products and Industrial Uses in Perspective

摘要

Sorghum and millets are primarily grown as subsistence food crops in Africa. Less than 5% of annual production is commercially processed by industry. The expansion of agro-processing and industrial utilization depends on the growth of per capita incomes and urbanization. However, for sorghum and pearl millet to be competitive with alternative grains, gains are also required in farm productivity and market efficiency. High marketing costs represent a particular problem in many regions of Africa wheremarket density is low and production levels are unstable. Entrepreneurs need assistance in evaluating the trade-offs in using alternative grain inputs. They also need more information about alternative processing technologies and end uses of these crops.The varied experiences with sorghum and pearl millet commercialization that are evident in diverse regions of Africa need to be publicized. A strategic framework of public and private sector partnership is proposed as a basis for addressing these challenges.