The American International Seed Company and African biologists have collaborated on the “African Sorghum Improvement Project”, utilizing biotechnological techniques to enhance the quality of sorghum in Africa.
This initiative may offer hope in addressing nutritional deficiencies and poverty for the people of this continent.
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| Sorghum |
Since October 2005, Luke Mehlo, a molecular biologist from South Africa, has been researching sorghum at a biological laboratory in Johnston, Iowa.
Typically, sorghum is used as animal feed, an industrial raw material, and food; this crop not only withstands natural drought conditions but also contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals. The nutritional value of this plant has helped impoverished populations survive during natural disasters.
Every year in Africa, many people die from starvation, and approximately 300 million live in drought-affected areas, relying on sorghum and other crops as their food source.
Traditional sorghum varieties have high drought resistance but lack essential nutrients.
Scientists hope to enhance the sorghum genome using beneficial genes from other crops, making sorghum more digestible and increasing its content of vital nutrients such as protein, amino acids, iron, zinc, and vitamins A and E.
The CEO of the American Seed Company stated that it will take another eight years to bring genetically modified sorghum to market.
Once successful in genetically modifying and commercializing sorghum, the company will not directly profit; however, the success of this project could open doors for the company in relation to other genetically modified crops in countries still skeptical about plant genetic modification.
The main funding for this project is provided by the partners of the National Institutes of Health – the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has previously donated $450 million with the hope of improving the nutritional content of crops such as bananas, cassava, and rice. Dupont is the sole commercial partner in this project with the International Seed Company and has also contributed $4.8 million, providing manpower and equipment for scientists working in Africa.
Researchers believe that while enhanced sorghum with increased nutrients may not completely resolve the issue of poverty in Africa, it can at least help the people of Africa overcome some difficulties.
Tuyết Nhung
