Indigenous crops, underutilized crops, or orphan crops are terms used to describe vegetables, fruits, and grains that are native to a specific region. In many instances, these crops not only exhibit resilience to changing climate conditions but also possess significant nutritional value. This session aims to unite researchers, policymakers, and representatives from the private sector to explore the potential of these indigenous crops in bolstering the African food system. The session will leverage the experiences and research findings of the speakers to identify gaps in research within the indigenous crops value chain. This will be co-hosted by FSNet-Africa and the Alliance for African Partnerships (AAP).
Date: Tuesday 17 October 2023
Time: 14:00 – 17:00 (SAST)
Fellows
Dr Abena Boakye, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Research topic: Exploring the food use of cucurbit seeds (Egusi) for community nutrition and food security in Northern Ghana
Dr Nokuthula Vilakazi, Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Research topic: Potential of cowpea as a neglected and underutilised species in the urban food system
Dr Natasha Mwila, University of Zambia, Zambia
Research topic: Consumer preference of cowpea: Improved nutrient uptake among children and mothers in Zambia
This session is being co-hosted by FSNet-Africa and AAP.
