UNLOCKING THE POTENTIALS OF
AFRICA’S INDIGENOUS FOOD
CROPS
ADEOLUWA IYIADE ADETUNJI
AFGRI ANIMAL FEEDS
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIALS OF AFRICA‘S INDIGENOUS FOOD CROPS
REALITY ON GROUND!!!
• FOOD INSECURITY- 1 in 4 people suffer CHRONIC HUNGER
• Between 1983 & 2013 - 6 different FOOD CRISES
experienced in sub-Saharan Africa (Harvest Help)
- MAJOR cause is DROUGHT
• Over dependence on cash crops
- Maize, Rice and Wheat
- Contribute about 60% protein and calories sources
• Mostly not environmentally sustainable in Africa
- Drought tolerant
- Food Importation costing: $20-50 Billion
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIALS OF AFRICA‘S INDIGENOUS FOOD CROPS
WAY FORWARD
• Re-direct interest back to INDIGENOUS FOOD CROPS
-
Bambara Bean (Native Solution to Africa’s Food Crisis)
Locust Bean (An Answer to Africa’s Greatest Needs in One Tree)
Marama (The Green Gold of Africa)
Teff (Grain with Many Reasons to Grow)
• Production sustainable - drought tolerant
• Invest in large-scale production; R&D
• Focus on NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGY
• Collaborarative Research Support Programs
- Development of INFORMATION DATABASE
- Accessibility to producers and end-users