National Sorghum Producers Calls on USAID to Consider Grain Sorghum Offers
WASHINGTON, DC (April 13, 2022)—National Sorghum Producers sent a letter to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Tuesday to encourage the department to proactively tender grain offers to provide crucial aid to the world’s hungry. This action is in response to a worsening situation from the war in Ukraine and its impact on global food prices.
“In Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, where sorghum is a staple food in many countries, the situation is exacerbated by severe drought and conflict,” wrote NSP CEO Tim Lust.
The NSP letter goes on to encourage USAID, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to urgently consider grain sorghum offers for food aid as action plans are formulated to address the worsening situation.
“In preparation for the harvesting of this year’s sorghum crop, which begins in July, grain traders are emptying stocks from the 2021 crop year,” Lust added. “With the large premium in old crop grain prices, we do not expect old crop grain to be held past May 1.”
Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world and ranks second, closely behind wheat, in total food aid purchases. Read the full letter at SorghumGrowers.com.
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NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry coast to coast through legislative representation, regulatory representation and education. To learn more about NSP, visit www.sorghumgrowers.com.