(NAFB.com) – National Sorghum Producers requests the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, to consider sorghum for aid programs.

The organization sent a letter to USAID this week encouraging the department to proactively tender grain offers to provide crucial aid to the world’s hungry. The letter is in response to a worsening situation from the war in Ukraine and its impact on global food prices. NSP CEO Tim Lust says, “In Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, where sorghum is a staple food in many countries, the situation is exacerbated by severe drought and conflict.”

The NSP letter encourages USAID, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, to consider grain sorghum offers for food aid as action plans are formulated to address the worsening situation. Lust adds urgency is needed as grain traders are emptying stocks from the 2021 crop year.

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