A Blueprint for Building Resilience and Food Security in MENA and SSA Drylands: Diversifying Agriculture With Neglected and Underutilized Species

Food and Energy Security, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Drylands, encompassing 41% of global land and supporting over 2 billion people, face significant challenges, including water scarcity, extreme temperatures, soil degradation. Dryland spans vast areas Middle East North Africa (MENA) Sub‐Sahara (SSA) regions poses a threat to food security resilience. This study examines the potential neglected underutilized species (NUS) improve dryland nutrition security, focusing on their agronomic performance, productivity, economic viability, nutritional benefits. Using long‐term data from FAOSTAT, USDA Food Data Central, peer‐reviewed literature, we analyzed trends in cultivation, yield, contributions 26 NUS across 22 countries MENA region comparing them with major staples—rice, wheat, maize. Between 1961 2022, crop fluctuated, decreasing by 7.0% since 2018 21.17 Mha. Despite this, demonstrated superior productivity—up 30% higher than cereals. For instance, sorghum cowpea achieved 2.5 kg/m 3 compared maize (0.83 ) wheat (0.91 exhibited strong heat tolerance, withstanding temperatures up 42°C 38°C, respectively. negative trade balance, significantly contributed dietary calories, surpassing wheat. A field experiment Merchouch, Morocco, confirmed that offered value per unit outperformed conventional crops key indicators. Integrating into farming systems can enhance sustainability, resilience climate change. Advancing requires breeding programs, tailored good agricultural practices, addition market linkage, supportive policies, farmer education. Collaborative efforts among international organizations, governments, civil society are crucial mainstreaming agrifood contributing diversity, SSA regions.

Language: Английский

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Enhancing Nutrition and Cost Efficiency in Kenyan School Meals Using Neglected and Underutilized Species and Linear Programming: A Case Study from an Informal Settlement

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(6), P. 2436 - 2436

Published: March 11, 2025

Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)—locally available, climate-resilient species—possess significant nutritional, social, environmental benefits, yet their use, research focus, market presence have diminished over time. Incorporating NUS into school meal programs can potentially boost childhood nutrition, promote healthy eating, encourage sustainable food production, preserve culture heritage, support biodiversity conservation. School meals offered in Kenya are often monotonous nutritionally inadequate. We conducted a case study on an informal urban settlement Nairobi, targeting students between ages 6–12, to demonstrate how incorporating locally grown, nutrient-dense foods result better nutrition for school-age children, while making savings schools. Using the World Food Programme’s Meal Planner (SMP) PLUS software, were analyzed nutrient adequacy optimized including five NUS: African nightshade (Solanum spp.), spider plant (Cleome gynandra), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), bonavist or hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus), slender leaf (Crotalaria spp.). The optimization process was based commodity price fluctuations composition of local agrobiodiversity used. results show viable alternative meet recommended daily needs school-aged children at affordable prices. tool showcased effectiveness linear programming enabling national decision efficient feeding program planning, by designing comprehensive, baskets using agrobiodiversity. Future should explore implementing menus examining broader aspects, such as lunch impacts direct procurement approach opportunities that source ingredients from smallholder farmers.

Language: Английский

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Multifaceted determinants influencing South African smallholder farmers’ choices to access and utilize underutilized crops

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: March 12, 2025

Underutilized crops (UCs), referred to as neglected or orphan crops, play a crucial role in addressing food security, nutrition, and rural development. However, despite their nutritional, economic, environmental benefits, consumption remains low among smallholder farmers. This study investigates the socio-economic perceptual factors influencing farmers’ decisions consume UCs, focusing on taro roots ( Colocasia esculenta ) sweet potatoes Ipomoea batatas KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using data from 300 farmers, applies Factor Analysis (FA) binary logistic regression model identify key determinants of UC consumption. The FA revealed four main perception decisions: production, taste, awareness, availability UCs. results showed that household size p < 0.05), marital status 0.01), gender 0.05) significantly influenced Notably, positive taste 0.1) increased likelihood consumption, whereas lack awareness had negative impact. contrary initial expectations, receiving government grant off-farm income were negatively associated with indicating financial stability does not necessarily translate into adoption. These findings suggest raising market constraints, fostering perceptions UCs are for increasing highlights need targeted interventions improve accessibility appeal, thereby supporting sustainable security strategies Africa other regions similar demographics.

Language: Английский

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Nutritional enrichment of traditional complementary foods using underutilized nutritious plant foods in sub-Saharan Africa: their nutritional potential and health benefits: A scoping review

Applied Food Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100726 - 100726

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Agriculture and health: synergizing for a sustainable future

Frontiers in Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: April 2, 2025

Language: Английский

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