As hunger continues to rise across Africa due to a combination of climate change, conflict, and economic instability, many countries on the continent are turning to ancient and traditional crops to combat food insecurity. These indigenous crops, which include drought-resistant grains, vegetables, and legumes, are being reintroduced and promoted as solutions to the worsening hunger crisis, providing both nutritional and environmental benefits.

Africa is facing an alarming increase in hunger, with more than 278 million people on the continent currently affected by food insecurity, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Several factors are contributing to this crisis:

Climate Change: Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and frequent extreme weather events like droughts and floods have disrupted agricultural production across the continent. Countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and parts of the Sahel have been hit particularly hard by prolonged droughts that have decimated crops and livestock.

Conflict: Ongoing conflicts, especially in regions like the Horn of Africa and the Lake Chad Basin, have displaced millions of people and disrupted food production and supply chains.

Economic Instability: The global economic downturn, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has left many African countries struggling to import food and other essential goods. Rising food prices have made it increasingly difficult for families to afford basic staples.

In response to these challenges, African nations are looking to their rich agricultural heritage for solutions.

Many experts are advocating for a return to traditional, climate-resilient crops that were once staples in African diets but have been largely abandoned in favor of imported and commercial crops. These indigenous foods have been found to be more resilient to the harsh climate conditions affecting many parts of Africa and are also highly nutritious. Some of the key crops being promoted include:

Sorghum: A drought-resistant grain that thrives in arid regions, sorghum has been a staple in African diets for centuries. It is rich in nutrients such as protein, fiber, and iron, making it an ideal food to combat malnutrition.

Millet: Another ancient grain that is resistant to heat and requires less water than crops like wheat or maize, millet is being reintroduced as a staple food in many African countries. It is also gluten-free, which has boosted its popularity in the global health food market.

Fonio: A lesser-known grain native to West Africa, fonio is one of the fastest-growing cereals and can be harvested in as little as eight weeks. It is highly nutritious and has long been a part of the traditional diet in countries like Mali and Senegal.

Teff: A staple in Ethiopia, teff is a nutrient-dense grain used to make the country’s iconic flatbread, injera. Teff is high in protein, calcium, and iron, and it thrives in drought-prone areas, making it a valuable crop for both food security and income generation.

Amaranth: This leafy vegetable is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It grows well in poor soil conditions and is being promoted in both East and Southern Africa as a nutritious addition to daily diets.

Bambara Groundnut: Often referred to as the “poor man’s crop,” Bambara groundnut is an indigenous legume that is highly drought-resistant and grows in nutrient-poor soils. It provides a rich source of protein and can improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.

In addition to their resilience to climate change, these traditional crops offer a range of nutritional and environmental benefits that make them ideal for addressing hunger in Africa. They are often more nutritious than the imported crops that have dominated African agriculture in recent decades, providing essential vitamins and minerals that are lacking in many diets.

From an environmental perspective,many of these indigenous crops require less water, grow well in poor soils, and are more resistant to pests and diseases. This makes them particularly valuable in regions where changing weather patterns and soil degradation have made farming more difficult.

Government and NGO Initiatives

Governments and non-governmental organizations across Africa are playing a key role in promoting these traditional crops. In Nigeria, for example, the government has launched initiatives to encourage farmers to grow sorghum and millet as alternatives to maize, which requires more water and is vulnerable to climate shocks.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is also supporting efforts to reintroduce indigenous crops across the continent, providing training to farmers on how to grow and market these foods. Additionally, several African countries have introduced policies to support smallholder farmers who are growing traditional crops, recognizing the importance of these foods in improving food security and rural livelihoods.

The Road Ahead

While there is still much work to be done to reverse the growing hunger crisis in Africa, the reintroduction of ancient and indigenous crops offers hope for more sustainable and resilient food systems. By harnessing the nutritional and environmental benefits of these traditional foods, African countries can not only improve food security but also enhance their resilience to the challenges posed by climate change.

However, scaling up the cultivation of these crops will require continued investment in research, infrastructure, and market development. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector will need to work together to ensure that African farmers have the resources and support they need to grow and distribute these life-saving crops.

Image source:ssa.foodsecurityportal.org