Sweet sorghum R&D
To resolve the food vs fuel debate there is a need to develop a multi-purpose crop. Thus from the same piece of land food, fuel and fodder needs to be produced. Sweet sorghum (S.S.) is one such crop. Technology for the production of ethanol from sweet sorghum has been developed. A number of high ethanol yielding varieties have been produced. A pilot plant capable of producing 50 lpd of 95% v/v ethanol using only solar energy for distillation was set up at NARI.
NARI's contribution:
- Development of high yielding varieties and hybrids of sweet sorghum
- Pioneer in India and world. NARI's S.S. hybrid 'Madhura' has been successfully tried in Italy, Zimbabwe, Portugal, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, etc.
- On one hectare of land 'MADHURA' hybrid can produce 2-4 tons of food grain and 2000-3000 liters of ethanol or 2-3 tons of syrup per year. Bagasse and leaves are an excellent fodder for animals.
- Development of complete technology for syrup production. The syrup has been sold all over India.
- Seed of MADHURA is available.
Syrup can be used as:
- Table syrup.
- Additive in milk; accompaniment to pancakes and bread.
- In salad dressing and icecream topping.
- Sweetner in cakes and biscuit baking.
- Syrupy base in pharmaceutical formulations.
ENQUIRIES FROM RETAILERS, WHOLESALERS AND EXPORTERS SOLICITED
MADHURA sweet sorghum syrup has received extremely enthusiastic response from the users. There have been many claims including : cure for asthma; help in reducing arthritis pain; is a substitute for honey etc.
 MADHURA sweet sorghum crop |
 Sweet sorghum syrup being produced |
Features:
- Excellent natural source of calcium
- Excellent nutritional and medicinal properties
- Honey like taste. Rich in vitamin C, proteins and Nicotinic acid.
- Rich in glucose and fructose
