NAIROBI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Friday called for the use of technology to transform agri-food systems in Africa.
The FAO co-hosted a forum in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that brought together plant scientists from across Africa to promote new food frontiers with African underutilized crops (orphan crops).
"The focus on African orphan crops is not just about food security. It is about empowering communities to cultivate crops that are resilient, nutritious, and locally adapted," FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said in his opening remarks via video message, according to a statement issued by the FAO.
Qu said Africa is home to a rich diversity of underutilized crops, often referred to as "orphan crops," noting that such crops -- including local staples such as millet and exotic fruits such as the mangosteen -- have long played an important role in local diets, cultural heritage, and ecosystems, but have remained neglected in research, investment and policy discussions.
The meeting reviewed what has been achieved so far by the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC), which in its first decade has empowered more than 172 scientists, nearly 40 percent of whom have been women, and 28 African countries in the use of genomics-assisted approaches to crop improvement.
The forum also focused on improving the integration of African orphan crops into national agri-food strategies, and on identifying the next steps to take the essential elements of the AOCC model to the next level in African countries and elsewhere.
Qu noted that reducing hunger and ensuring sustainable production of more nutritious food to ensure healthy diets is particularly challenging in Africa, adding that "we will need to leverage science and innovation."
Qu emphasized the importance of making crop improvement technologies and innovations accessible to all, and of developing local capacity in related scientific skills.
"We need to sustain the momentum of these significant advances and continue ensuring that African farmers and scientists have access to the best tools, equipment, and technologies," Qu said.
Some of the "orphan crops" assessed so far are types of mustard, okra, breadfruit, melon, taro, pumpkin, and yams, along with wild custard apples and vine spinach, and Plectranthus rotundifolius, an indigenous variety of potato. ■