Rediscovered crops: hope for Africa's nutrition?!

Rediscovered crops: hope for Africa's nutrition?!

Climate change has significantly affected agricultural productivity in Africa. Extreme weather conditions not only lead to reduced yields, but also food insecurity in rural areas and obesity in urban areas. In this context, the rediscovery of forgotten crops could play a crucial role in improving food security in southern Africa. According to the University of Hohenheim, numerous native plants have so far been insufficiently researched, but their potential is enormous. The INCrease collaborative project aims to increase awareness of these plants and promote their use in modern agriculture, said uni-hohenheim.de.

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Christine Wieck's project will provide an initial impetus for strengthening local cultivation systems. Innovative approaches are particularly in demand in regions where small businesses struggle with outdated farming methods and a lack of knowledge.

Innovations to improve food security

In addition to INCrease's efforts, the EU-funded InnoFoodAfrica project is investigating the potential of traditional climate-smart crops for the development of balanced foods. This project aims to use crop residues as biomaterials for packaging and promote local agriculture. The introduction of improved seed varieties as well as comprehensive manuals and videos on best agricultural practices aims to significantly improve farming methods and food quality. In particular, 15 healthy flours and food prototypes, such as crackers and pasta, have already been developed, complemented by energy-saving pre-treatment processes to ensure year-round availability of the crop, explained cordis.europa.eu.

Another focus is on the tuber-like plant Mashua, which is considered high-yielding and more nutritious than potatoes, but is limited to certain latitudes due to undesirable flavors and cultivation restrictions. Dr. Hunziker, a postdoctoral researcher at Heidelberg University, highlights the importance of expanding knowledge of such underused plant species in order to promote their use and thus contribute to global food security, such as uni-heidelberg.de reported.

Role of science and research

The international scientific community also plays a crucial role in this environment. Prof. Dr. Volker Wulfmeyer from the University of Hohenheim has been appointed co-chair of the GLASS panel, making him the first German scientist to hold this position. His responsibilities include the international management of research projects at the interface between the land surface and the atmosphere. This is particularly relevant as the challenges of climate change are inextricably linked to agricultural productivity.

The commitment of scientists is undisputed, and the multitude of initiatives, which have both local and international faces, show how urgently needed solutions are being developed in the fight against food insecurity and the effects of climate change. Awareness of native plants and their use will make an important contribution to strengthening food security in Africa.