Industrial Utilization of Sorghum Summary Proceedings of a Symposium on the Current Status and Potential of Industrial Uses of Sorghum in Nigeria

This publication summarizes the proceedings of a national symposium on the current status and potential of the industrial uses of sorghum in Nigeria, held at Kano from 4 to 6 Dec 1989. The ban on the import of cereal grains and malt into Nigeria is an important factor leading to increased utilization of sorghum. The emerging principal uses of sorghum as an industrial raw material include production of lager beer, confectionery, beverages, weaning foods, and feeds. Analysis of current demand and supply situation of sorghum grain indicates considerable shortage of food grains and competition. Further in the next 10 years there will be a continued deficit of sorghum grains which calls for an increased crop productivity through use of better cultivars and production practices. Industrial milling methods of sorghum, currently used in Nigeria, were critically reviewed. The progress, problems, and prospects of using sorghum in the baking, brewing, and malting industries were evaluated. The importance of sorghum straw as a crop residue for grazing animals and of sorghum grain as a raw material for the feed industry were emphasized. Physicochemical attributes of sorghum grain and straw desired for different end uses, and which require improvement through breeding, were identified. There are abstracts of 29 papers presented in five sessions: grain economics and milling, composite flour products, malting and brewing, non alcoholic beverages and weaning foods, and forage and feeds. Summaries of the discussions following each session as well as recommendations are included