47. Teff &amp; Fonio – Africa’s sustainable cereals

Small, Ernest

doi:10.1080/14888386.2014.997290

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Fonio is one of the most ancient indigenous West African cereals and is a major part of the diet in some communities in Mali [13][14][15]. It is an excellent source of protein that is rich in the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine, which are deficient in rice, maize, and sorghum [16], and their concentrations are slightly higher than those defined for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) protein reference [17]. It is also rich in micronutrients, including iron and zinc, and therefore has the potential to improve intakes of these nutrients in deficient populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The food composition table of Mali indicates fonio as the cereal with the second-highest iron content (8.5 mg/100 g dry matter) after sorghum (11 mg/100 g dry matter) [18]. Furthermore, fonio has a low glycemic index, and it may serve as an alternative grain for people with gluten intolerance [16]. Bambara groundnut is a legume crop native to Africa, commonly grown for its seeds by subsistence farmers [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fonio and Bambara Groundnut Value Chains in Mali: Issues, Needs, and Opportunities for Their Sustainable Promotion

et al. 2020

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As the effects of climate change are severely straining West African agricultural systems, the adoption of more incisive interventions in support of sustainable development agendas for the region is highly critical and cannot be further delayed by governments. Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are one important ally in pursuing resilience in both production and food systems because of their promising traits in terms of nutrition, adaptation to local agroecosystems, and economic potential for local populations. Focusing on fonio, a gluten-free traditional cereal, and Bambara groundnut, a protein-rich leguminous crop, we investigate issues in their production, commercialization, and consumption in southern Mali. The aim was to assess needs and opportunities for improving their value chains and increasing their use and societal benefits. Using a Rapid Market Appraisal method, we surveyed traders, producers, processors, and consumers of target crops in 2017 and 2018. Our findings indicate that while both crops are consumed and praised by local populations, critical bottlenecks inhibit their wider socioeconomic potential. Lack of access to inputs and equipment and presence of sand in the commercialized product are important issues for fonio, whereas the Bambara groundnut value chain suffers from poor processing facilities and lack of market promotion. Policy recommendations to tackle the identified bottlenecks are proposed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fonio and Bambara Groundnut Value Chains in Mali: Issues, Needs, and Opportunities for Their Sustainable Promotion

et al. 2020

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“…The Péfozo Clement and Péfozo Lamine fonio varieties tended to be lower yielding, which is consistent with their identity as fast-maturing ‘ stricta ’ varieties (Portères, 1955; Vall et al ., 2011). Some varieties attained very high yields in specific cases – up to 3960 kg/ha for Bambara groundnut and 2000 kg/ha for fonio – that approached maximal values recorded for these crops (4000 kg/ha for Bambara groundnut – Hillocks et al ., 2012; >2000 kg/ha for fonio – Small, 2015). Nevertheless, there was strong variability by site and year and no variety stood out for producing consistently higher yields.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revitalizing cultivation and strengthening the seed systems of fonio and Bambara groundnut in Mali through a community biodiversity management approach

Sidibé

Meldrum

Coulibaly

et al. 2020

Plant Genet. Resour.

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Fonio (Digitaria exilis (Kippist) Stapf) and Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) are native crops grown at a small scale in Mali that have potential to support agricultural productivity under climate change. A community biodiversity management approach was explored in this study as a means to reinforce the cultivation of these crops by increasing farmers' access to intraspecific diversity and developing capacities of community institutions for their management. The research involved six communities in Ségou and Sikasso regions. Multiple varieties of fonio (10–12) and Bambara groundnut (8–12) were established in diversity fields in each site over 2 years where farmers engaged in experiential learning over the crop cycle. Significant adoption of fonio and Bambara groundnut was detected in several study sites. The precise drivers of adoption cannot be definitively determined but likely include increased seed access and awareness gained through the diversity field fora, seed fairs and community seed banks. No significant yield advantage was detected for any of the varieties in the diversity fields, which showed variable performance by site and year. The number of varieties registered and managed by community seed banks in each site increased from 1–5 varieties of each crop to 11–12 varieties following the interventions. The number of Bambara groundnut varieties cultivated in farmers' fields also increased, while there was evidence of a slight decline in fonio diversity in some communities. The results of this study can inform efforts to strengthen seed systems and cultivation of neglected and underutilized species in Africa.

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“…The leafy vegetable chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius), an evergreen, hardy shrub that was domesticated by the Mesoamericans in pre-Columbian times and is typically cultivated on a small scale in gardens and field margins for household use [64], contains high amounts of several macro-and micronutrients, including protein (60g per 1kg of leaves), vitamin A, niacin and vitamin C [65]. In Mali, the cereal fonio (Digitaria exilis) is rich in the amino acids methionine and cysteine [66], while Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), with its chemical composition comparable to soy bean, is a good source of quality protein, fat and carbohydrates-enough to be considered a complete food [67,68]. Short growth cycles (for fonio) and the ability to grow well in resource-poor settings with limited water and minimal external inputs, make these crops particularly suited for growing in harsh environments, providing important contributions to food security, especially in times of food scarcity and extreme climate conditions [69].…”

Section: Increasing Evidence Of the Value Of Orphan Cropsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems: The Contribution of Orphan Crops and Wild Edible Species

et al. 2020

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Calls for a global food system transformation and finding more sustainable ways of producing healthier, safe and nutritious food for all have spurred production approaches such as sustainable intensification and biofortification with limited consideration of the copious amounts of orphan crops, traditional varieties and wild edible species readily available in many countries, mostly in and around smallholder farmers’ fields. This paper explores the potential role of locally available; affordable and climate-resilient orphan crops, traditional varieties and wild edible species to support local food system transformation. Evidence from Brazil, Kenya, Guatemala, India, Mali, Sri Lanka and Turkey is used to showcase a three-pronged approach that aims to: (i) increase evidence of the nutritional value and biocultural importance of these foods, (ii) better link research to policy to ensure these foods are considered in national food and nutrition security strategies and actions, and (iii) improve consumer awareness of the desirability of these alternative foods so that they may more easily be incorporated in diets, food systems and markets. In the seven countries, this approach has brought about positive changes around increasing community dietary diversity and increasing market opportunities for smallholder growers, as well as increased attention to biodiversity conservation.

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47. Teff & Fonio – Africa’s sustainable cereals

Cited by 11 publications

References 34 publications

Fonio and Bambara Groundnut Value Chains in Mali: Issues, Needs, and Opportunities for Their Sustainable Promotion

Fonio and Bambara Groundnut Value Chains in Mali: Issues, Needs, and Opportunities for Their Sustainable Promotion

Revitalizing cultivation and strengthening the seed systems of fonio and Bambara groundnut in Mali through a community biodiversity management approach

Local Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems: The Contribution of Orphan Crops and Wild Edible Species

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