WASHINGTON, DC, US — With hunger and food price concerns growing worldwide, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the National Sorghum Producers (NSP) is calling on the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to proactively tender grain offers to provide crucial aid.

NSP noted sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world and ranks second, closely behind wheat, in total food aid purchases.

“In Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, where sorghum is a staple food in many countries, the situation is exacerbated by severe drought and conflict,” said Tim Lust, chief executive officer of NSP.

NSP encouraged USAID, in coordination with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), 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 said. “With the large premium in old crop grain prices, we do not expect old crop grain to be held past May 1.”

Read the full letter at SorghumGrowers.com.