Chemical giant DuPont has announced the formation of a public-private partnership with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to help advance the development of a nutritionally enhanced sorghum for use in Africa.

The Buffett Foundation has awarded $4 million to the project, which will be led by DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred company. The Danforth Center will monitor, evaluate, and provide financial oversight. In addition, the partners will work with the African Biofortified Sorghum Consortium to secure regulatory approvals and pursue production and distribution plans.

Sorghum, a drought-tolerant grain, is a staple food in many arid parts of Africa. In its natural form, however, it is relatively devoid of nutrients. The sorghum nutritional improvement program aims to boost the plant's zinc and iron bioavailability, improve its protein digestibility, and augment pro-vitamin A levels. The plan is to distribute the biofortified sorghum royalty-free and at minimal cost to growers in underserved African communities.

"Improving the nutrition of this staple crop has the potential to change the lives of more than three hundred million Africans," said Howard G. Buffett. "I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of malnutrition. I have a personal commitment to see that healthier sorghum gets to the people of Africa."