This research into the use of sweet sorghum is dedicated to the late Ms. Evis Mvududu (Lead researcher, Zimbabwe until her tragic death in 2001) and Prof. D.O. Hall who co-ordinated the research activities from 1990 until July 1999. The research is now led by Jeremy Woods who is located in the Department of Environmental Science and Technology at Imperial College London's South Kensington Campus.
This research is currently funded through the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) and involves the collaboration between Silvae Culture, Themba Technology, the Centre for Energy Efficiency and Engineering Zambia (CEEEZ), and the International Sugar Organisation (ISO, UK).
The current research project, based in Zambia, will evaluate the potential for sweet sorghum as a multi-purpose crop (fuel, fodder, food and fibre) for small-holder production. Three trials will be carried out, one trial in each of the three ecological zones of Zambia, testing sweet sorghum varieties from India and China. This work will be carried out by CEEEZ, Zambia under the direction of Prof. Yamba. Contact Jeremy Woods (see 'people' below) for more details.
The latest information on the current research is given in a presentation by Prof. Yamba and Dr. Muninday (University of Zambia) highlighting the outcomes of the 2004/5 Zambia Sweet Sorghum Trials:
CFC Sweet
Sorghum project to demonstrate commercial bioenergy production in South East
Zimbabwe (updated 11-March-02)
The Sweet Sorghum Page on ECOPORT
Jeremy Woods (UK)
Prof. Francis Yamba (CEEZ and UNZA, Zambia)
Dr. Kalaluka Munyinda (UNZA, Crops Dept., Zambia)
Leonard Nybanga (Zimbabwe - short text
e-mails only please. Chiredzi Res. Stn. & BUN)
The aim of the current work is to demonstrate the potential for the use of sweet sorghum in the production of biofuels (ethanol and electricity) using existing commercial sugarcane-based technologies to extend the milling season in sugar mills. It is based on over 15 years of research work into sorghum's growth characteristics in Europe, Asia, and Africa.