Aktobe agrarians are learning a new fodder crop for farms

The regional chamber of entrepreneurs continues to hold specialized seminars to familiarize farmers with innovations in the industry and advice on basic farming techniques of cultivation of various crops. The latest seminar was devoted to the cultivation of grain and forage sorghum, World of NAN reports referring to Atameken.

The initiators of the event, a branch of the "Association of Farmers of Kazakhstan" in the framework of cross-border cooperation and exchange of experience invited Dmitry Karaulov, head of the Orenburg company to promote the project of gluten-free grain sorghum.

Gluten-free grain is more and more often found on the shelves of health food stores. In countries on the European continent it is actively cultivated for silage. Cattle breeders' interest in the crop increased with the appearance of hybrids containing less tannins and glucoside, which is dangerous for cattle. As a result, sorghum began to attract the attention of Aktobe agrarians. After all, the culture is more drought-resistant and can be cultivated where growing other plants without irrigation is impractical.

"Aktobe region is in a fairly arid zone, the amount of precipitation is minimal here and, accordingly, the range of crops is also minimal. Traditional crops such as barley, spring wheat have a weak root system, which is about 1.2 meters, and in sorghum it is 2.5 meters.  It is a powerful root system that pulls water from the lower layers. And as an insurance crop, it should always be kept in rotation. Besides, harvested for grain sorghum leaves a good amount of crop residues in the field, which positively affects the increase in fertility, "- said the speaker.

Only four farms are engaged in growing sorghum in the Aktobe region.

"For example, in the Wilsky district the farm "Erbazy" began with 80 hectares, today brought the sown area up to 400 hectares. This is a very nutritious crop for fattening cattle and dairy farms. And the rate of seeding itself is very economical. If you sow 100 kg of wheat per hectare, and here per hectare - 5-10 kg of sorghum seeds. Moreover, when subsidizing crops, farms can get subsidies for it, "- said the chairman of the branch "Association of Farmers of Kazakhstan" Berik Sariyev.

During the seminar, the guest from the Russian Federation told about the readiness to support Kazakh farmers in cultivation of the crop.

"A very promising type of crop farming. Not only agricultural producers, but also poultry farms, feed mills, consumers, those who are engaged in livestock farming in industrial volumes, who buy fodder will benefit from it. We create a sorghum market in Russia and would be glad if Kazakhstan joined this project. Aktobe agrarians are ready to help both in agrarian matters, and advise on promotion and search for consumers," concluded Dmitry Karaulov.

Those who could not get to the seminar and wishing to learn about sorghum cultivation technology, to get expert advice, can contact the Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Aktobe region for contacts.

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