Economics of sweet sorghum feedstock production for bioethanol

Sweet sorghum is similar to grain sorghum but possesses sugar-rich stalks, \nwith higher juice content. Because of its rapid growth, high sugar accumulation, \nhigh biomass production potential and wider adapt ability, sweet sorghum can \nbe grown in different agro-climatic conditions. The sugar content in the juice \nextracted from sweet sorghum varies from 16-23% Brix. It has good potential \nfor jaggery and syrup production besides ethanol. The grain can be used \nas food and the bagasse after extraction of juice from stalks is an excellent \nlivestock feed. The potential food vs. fuel conflict from the diversion of crop \nland for cultivation of ‘bioethanol’ crops does not arise with sweet sorghum as \nit meets the multiple requirements the food, fuel and fodder.