How to Start a Sweet Sorghum Farming Business

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a drought-tolerant crop similar to grain sorghum but with a unique advantage—its stalks are rich in sugar. This sugar-rich profile makes it a sustainable alternative for ethanol production and other high-value uses. Known for its efficient use of water and adaptability to varied environments, sweet sorghum offers farmers multiple income streams from a single crop cycle.

A Crop with Many Uses

Sweet sorghum can be cultivated not only for its grain, which serves as food and animal feed, but also for the sweet juice from its stalks used to produce syrup, jaggery, and bioethanol. After juice extraction, the leftover bagasse and green foliage can be used as animal fodder, organic fertilizer, or raw material in paper production.

Research-Based Production Insights

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) conducted a research project titled “Commercial Production and Utilization of Sweet Sorghum (for Ethanol, Food, Feed and Forage).” The study used eight sweet sorghum varieties from ICRISAT for multi-location trials. Among them, five varieties—NTJ 2, SPV 422, ICSV 700, ICSV 93046, and ICSR 93034—proved most adaptable to Philippine conditions.

Each of these varieties showed promising yields in stalks, grains, and sugar content across various regions. For instance, SPV 422 showed the highest stalk yield and sugar content in Region V, making it ideal for syrup or ethanol production. NTJ 2 and ICSR 93034 also showed competitive results in other regions, proving the crop’s wide adaptability.

Regional Performance Highlights

In Region IV-A, a randomized complete block design with four replications was applied. Basal fertilizer at 14-14-14 and side dressing with urea were used. Armyworm and cutworm infestations were managed effectively, though a typhoon impacted crop lodging, especially for ICSV lines.

In Region V, SPV 422 led in both stalk and grain yield. Sugar content peaked at 18.62 Brix for SPV 422 and 18.3 Brix for ICSR 93034. Insect resistance and plant height varied, but overall results confirmed excellent suitability for dry season planting.

Region VI recorded minimal pest and disease incidences, and all varieties displayed good plant establishment and growth. Stalk juice yield and total soluble solids content showed that ICSR 93034 and ICSV 93046 had the highest sugar concentration, ideal for fermentation and ethanol production.

1. Initial Setup Costs

Land Preparation:

• Rotavation: Two rounds of soil rotavation to a depth of 25-30 cm are necessary to achieve good soil tilth and facilitate uniform seed germination. The cost of this operation typically ranges from ₱5,000 to ₱8,000 per hectare.
• Furrow Setting: Setting up furrows, which is done either by hand or with machinery, will cost approximately ₱2,000 to ₱3,000 per hectare depending on the method used.

Seed and Planting Costs:

• Seeds: The recommended seeding rate is 5-8 kg per hectare. Depending on the variety, the cost of sweet sorghum seeds ranges from ₱2,000 to ₱4,000 per hectare.
• Planting: Hand planting or using a planter adds an additional cost of about ₱3,000 to ₱4,000 per hectare, depending on labor availability and the choice of planting method.

2. Operational Costs

Fertilization:

• Basal Fertilization: A basal application of 14-14-14 fertilizer or its equivalent (₱6,000-₱8,000 per hectare).
• Side Dressing: This involves applying urea or ammonium sulfate around 21 days after planting. Costs can range from ₱3,000 to ₱5,000 per hectare depending on the fertilizer used.

Irrigation:

• Irrigation Setup: While sweet sorghum is drought-tolerant, supplemental irrigation may be required during dry seasons to ensure consistent growth. Setting up a drip or overhead irrigation system could cost between ₱10,000 to ₱15,000 per hectare.

Pest and Disease Control:

• Pesticides: Regular monitoring and pest control, including applications of chemicals like Carbofuran for shoot fly and stem borer management, will cost about ₱2,000 to ₱4,000 per hectare.
• Labor for Pest Control: Additional labor costs for pest and disease monitoring and treatment could add another ₱2,000 to ₱3,000 per hectare.

3. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Costs

Harvesting:

• Labor Costs: Harvesting sweet sorghum stalks, which are similar to sugarcane, involves cutting close to the ground. Manual harvesting costs approximately ₱6,000 to ₱8,000 per hectare.
• Processing: For sweet sorghum stalks to be used for syrup, jaggery, or ethanol, further processing equipment may be necessary. This could add an additional ₱5,000 to ₱10,000 per hectare, depending on the scale of processing.

4. Revenue Generation

Income from Grains:

• Grain Yield: Sweet sorghum produces grain that can be sold as animal feed or human food. On average, sweet sorghum yields about 3-5 tons of grain per hectare. The price of sweet sorghum grain can range from ₱15,000 to ₱20,000 per ton.
• Income from Grain: Assuming a yield of 4 tons per hectare and a selling price of ₱18,000 per ton, the income from grain alone could reach ₱72,000 per hectare.

Income from Stalks:

• Stalk Yield: Sweet sorghum also provides a significant yield of stalks, which are used for syrup, bioethanol, and animal feed. The average stalk yield is around 40-60 tons per hectare.
• Income from Stalks: If the stalks are sold for bioethanol production or as animal feed at a price of ₱1,500 per ton, the income from stalks could reach ₱60,000 to ₱90,000 per hectare.

Income from Syrup or Jaggery:

• Syrup/Jaggery Production: If you decide to produce syrup or jaggery from the stalks, the price of syrup is around ₱50 to ₱100 per liter, and jaggery can sell for ₱80 to ₱150 per kilogram. The additional income from these products depends on the scale of processing, but it could provide an additional ₱30,000 to ₱50,000 per hectare.

5. Profitability Analysis

Total Income per Hectare:

• From Grains: ₱72,000
• From Stalks: ₱60,000 to ₱90,000
• From Syrup/Jaggery: ₱30,000 to ₱50,000

Total Potential Income: ₱162,000 to ₱212,000 per hectare per year.

Total Costs per Hectare:

• Initial Setup and Land Preparation: ₱12,000 to ₱15,000
• Operational Costs (Fertilizers, Irrigation, Pest Control): ₱25,000 to ₱35,000
• Harvesting and Post-Harvest Processing: ₱15,000 to ₱18,000

Total Costs: ₱52,000 to ₱68,000 per hectare.

Net Profit per Hectare:

• Net Profit: After deducting costs, the potential profit could range from ₱94,000 to ₱144,000 per hectare, depending on yields and market prices.

6. Conclusion

Sweet sorghum presents a highly profitable opportunity for farmers, with diverse applications ranging from grain and syrup production to bioethanol. The costs involved in establishing a sweet sorghum farm are reasonable, especially considering the potential returns. With proper management and investment in irrigation, pest control, and processing infrastructure, sweet sorghum farming can be a lucrative and sustainable venture for Philippine farmers.