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Lost Crops of Africa

Completed

Regional focus

Middle East and North Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Topics

There is an overlooked resource in sub-Saharan Africa that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. Native African plants have vast potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists and policymakers. This project evaluated indigenous African grains, vegetables, and fruits that can help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and create sustainable landcare in Africa. Volume I focuses on native grains, dispelling myths about their nutritional value, flavor, and yield. Volume II describes 18 little-known African vegetables (including tubers and legumes), and Volume III describes 24 indigenous African cultivated and wild fruits.

Description

This report, issued together in two volumes discussing fruits and vegetables, will continue an evaluation of underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The task is to assess the state of knowledge, the promise, and the limitations of little-known African fruits (wild and cultivated) and vegetables (including tubers and legumes) that have potential as food- and cash-crops.This activity is sponsored by the Africa Bureau and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Data collection for this project began in the 1980s as part of a larger program, with funding for this component beginning 02/19/1998. Publication is scheduled for Fall 2006.

Collaborators

Staff

Mark Dafforn

Lead

Major units and sub-units

Policy and Global Affairs

Lead

Global Sustainability and Development

Lead

Development, Security, and Cooperation - Networks and International Programs

Lead

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