“Lost crops” offer a unique opportunity for food security in Africa
Zoë Karl-Waithaka, Managing Director and Partner, BCG Nairobi
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26, 2024-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- In 2023, seven people in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan will die from hunger-related causes in the world, according to a study published by Oxfam. time it will take on average. reader to complete this article.
It is imperative that all stakeholders in the food and agriculture sectors recognize that there can no longer be “business as usual”. Something needs to change, and quickly.
The SOS Sahel Africa Days Forum, which will be held on June 27 and 28, 2024 in Senegal, will this year focus on “Lost harvests, new opportunities: securing our future with the crops of the past” and should be a forum key to introducing new ideas. to meet this challenge.
Even though Africa’s population has doubled over the past 30 years, food production has not kept pace, with yields often below the global average. Africa has 65% of the planet’s uncultivated arable land, diverse agricultural environments and rich flora that enable the development of sustainable food systems. Indigenous communities in Africa have long used local crops for food, medicine and decoration. However, these indigenous crops are being replaced by varieties favored by industrial agriculture such as corn, rice and wheat. The widespread planting of these crops has led to a standardization of diets and led to the neglect of other crops, which we now call “orphan crops.”
An “orphan crop” (often classified or referred to as a “lost crop”, “neglected crop” or “forgotten crop”) is a plant species that is important for food security, nutrition and livelihoods in certain regions, but which receives little attention. attention of agricultural research, development and policy efforts globally. However, these crops are often highly adaptive and resilient – with the ability to grow on marginal lands with low amounts of inputs. Examples include millet and sorghum.

Recognized in 2023 by the United Nations as the “Year of Millets” – millets are contextualized as “superfoods” due to their highly nutritious properties, including magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, copper and iron. They have other benefits because they generally use less water and grow in less time than many other grain products.
So why has millet been ignored, or more accurately forgotten, until now? The challenge is twofold. First, there is a case of a weak value chain: traditional wheat and grain products have well-established ecosystems that start on the farm and end as a packaged product in supermarkets.
Second, related to the above, investments in conventional crops are significantly higher than in orphan crops. Conventional crops benefit from extensive global research networks, funding and technological innovations, including genetic modification and precision agriculture, which improve their productivity and commercial appeal.
The following two graphs tell an interesting story.
The first is research from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) that highlights priority areas for grain production in Africa. It is clear that investment and emphasis is placed on conventional crops such as corn, rice, wheat and barley (with over 40% of our calories coming from the first three crops).

The second chart is from a report by the Export-Import Bank of India (Eximbank) and highlights that despite modest improvements in global millet yields, harvested area has declined steadily over time.

Given the challenges posed by climate change and the strong nutritional qualities of many orphan crops, the concept of revisiting these food sources is gaining momentum and is not limited to Africa. For example, the newly re-elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a key role in promoting this shift in food systems and has launched various initiatives and campaigns to achieve this. However, to translate these efforts into large-scale adoption in our food systems globally, we will need consumers to create demand for these products and food companies to invest in product formulation and technologies that improve processing. Importantly, we will also need sufficient seeds to grow these crops and R&D investments to promote higher-yielding varieties.
While “orphan crops” are now being referred to as “crops of opportunity” by Dr. Cary Fowler – the US Special Envoy for Global Food Security, perhaps we should call them “miracle crops” for all the wonderful qualities they possess. These crops serve not only as sources of dietary diversity, but also as cornerstones of cultural identity and heritage, and with their nutrient-rich and robust qualities, they represent a potential solution for feeding growing populations under conditions of growing more and more difficult.
We need to look beyond the conventional crops currently being traded and take the necessary steps to seize this opportunity.
Distributed by African Media Agency in the name of BCG.
About Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Founded in 1963 with offices in more than 50 countries, BCG’s diverse global team of more than 30,000 brings deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that provide clients with business solutions. management consulting. Through its transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders, BCG enables organizations to grow, create sustainable competitive advantage and generate positive societal impact. To learn more, visit www.bcg.com.
BCG is well established in Africa, with offices in Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi, bringing together a team of nearly 600 employees. To learn more about BCG in Africa, visit www.bcg.com/Africa.
The post “Lost Crops” Offer a Unique Opportunity for Food Security in Africa appeared first on African Media Agency.
Source: African Media Agency (AMA)
Related Posts
-
I am learning to acclimate to the flavors of a new life in Canada
No Comments | Jul 5, 2024 -
How accreditation has improved food safety laboratory services in Africa
No Comments | Jun 26, 2024 -
AFS takes action to combat growing food insecurity in Africa
No Comments | Jul 27, 2024 -
Climate change and population growth could threaten global food security
No Comments | Jul 12, 2024