Jowar

Different parts of the country have the potential to have this important cereal crop grown, which is also a major product of agriculture in many other countries. Since it can grow in semi-arid climates, where other crops do not have a chance of growing, this crop has been grown in these areas. Requiring semi-arid climatic conditions, the jowar crop has proved to be a good agricultural practice in the country. In comparison to other cereal food items, jowar has a significant value. Jowar or sorghum belongs to the Graminae family and grows to a height of about 4 mts. Seeds are rounded and pointed at the base, the color being brownish, yellow, pink or white. Importance of jowar as a crop is seen in its usage as animal feed and fodder, grown mostly in arid and semi-arid climates of the world as well as in Pakistan. It is grown as a coarse grain. Its use in different kinds of commercial purposes is making jowar an important agricultural product in the whole world. It is used primarily as a livestock feed and fodder. Some places also have facilities to produce alcohol from jowar. The entire plant is used as forage, hay or silage. Sorghum has a sweet stock, which can be used as raw material for jaggery, ethanol, paper making and some other industrial purposes. In India, jowar has been included as a commodity in the commodity market. From the point of view of production, it is grown as a Rabi and kharif crop and also in summers.