Food Tank: From Neglect to Nourishment - Africa’s New Plan to Revitalize Vegetable Biodiversity
17 September 2024
A new initiative led by the World Vegetable Center aims to address hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and the climate crisis by rescuing and conserving the biodiversity of African vegetables.
The launch of the African Vegetable Biodiversity Rescue Plan announced at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, is designed to bring more resources and attention to native crops in Africa. These foods are often packed with nutrients and can thrive with less space and fewer inputs compared to other species – but many have been neglected or underutilized, the Crop Trust reports.
As implementation of the Rescue Plan unfolds, farmers, breeders, and researchers in sub-Saharan Africa will use the rescued genetic material to increase the supply of healthy foods. School feeding programs and homestead production can then make these vegetables accessible to communities.
Categories: For The Press, Food Security, Nutritional Security, Sustainable Agriculture