Sorghum Could Help European Farming Adapt to Climate Change
Seed World Staff
October 22, 2026
Photo: Adobe
New research suggests sorghum could become an increasingly important alternative to maize in European livestock feed, with climate projections indicating higher yields and expanded growing areas as temperatures rise.
Sorghum could play a greater role in European agriculture as rising temperatures and increasing water scarcity challenge traditional maize production, according to new research from France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE).
The study found that climate change could create more favorable conditions for sorghum production across much of Europe, potentially expanding the area suitable for growing the crop and reducing reliance on maize for livestock feed.
Although sorghum is widely cultivated in warmer, drier regions, it currently accounts for just 0.1% of European cropland. Its tolerance to high temperatures and limited water availability makes it a potential alternative to maize, which requires substantial water and is widely used in European livestock production.
Researchers found that sorghum yields could increase from an average of 3 tonnes per hectare under current climatic conditions to between 3.4 and 3.8 tonnes per hectare under projected conditions between 2050 and 2100.
Climate Change Could Expand Sorghum Production
The study projected that climate change would have an overall positive effect on European sorghum yields, although the benefits would vary by region. Northern Europe could experience increased yields as temperatures rise, while southern Europe could see modest declines as growing conditions become hotter and drier.
Researchers also identified a potential expansion in areas capable of supporting high and stable sorghum production. Under current climatic conditions, approximately 22% of European cropland falls into this category. By the end of the century, that share could increase to between 29% and 34%, depending on the climate scenario.
These findings suggest that sorghum could become a more viable crop across a larger portion of Europe, providing farmers with additional options as growing conditions change, according to a press release.
Potential to Replace Maize in Livestock Feed
Beyond its ability to withstand heat and drought, sorghum could help reduce the agricultural sector’s dependence on water-intensive maize production.
Researchers estimated that if sorghum were grown once every three years in suitable rotations, it could potentially replace approximately 90% of the maize currently used for livestock feed in Europe.
The findings are particularly relevant as European farmers face increasing pressure to manage water resources while maintaining crop productivity and livestock feed supplies.
Maize accounts for 38% of irrigated cropland in France, highlighting the potential importance of alternative crops that can perform under drier conditions.
Expanding sorghum production could reduce irrigation demand and allow water resources to be directed toward other crops, while potentially improving Europe’s livestock feed self-sufficiency.
Modelling Sorghum Yields Under Future Climate Conditions
To assess sorghum’s potential, researchers used a modeling framework that combined climate projections, crop growth models, and geographical information systems to simulate sorghum yields under various climate scenarios.