The current excitement around African adapted crops such as millet, sorghum, and fonio may be overlooking the crucial role that African farmers, particularly women, have played in conserving and developing these crops over generations. At a recent side event at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, experts discussed the potential of these crops to improve nutrition, resilience, and food security. However, concerns were raised that the focus on commercialization and large-scale production could lead to the marginalization of small-scale farmers.
The African agricultural sector is in need of investment, but experts caution that this investment must be directed towards strengthening farmer-led systems, knowledge, and diversity. The current model of agricultural development often prioritizes large-scale production, mechanization, and commercial seed systems, which can undermine the traditional practices and knowledge of small-scale farmers. Instead, experts argue that investment should focus on supporting farmer-managed seed systems, participatory plant breeding, and collaboration between public institutions, universities, and farming communities.
The way that African adapted crops are described and framed is also a matter of concern. Terms such as "forgotten," "orphan," "neglected," or "underutilized" can be misleading, as they imply that these crops were abandoned by farmers. In reality, these crops have been continuously grown, eaten, and conserved by African communities, often in the face of neglect by agricultural policy, research funding, and formal markets.
The issue of seed control is central to the debate around African adapted crops. Africa already has sophisticated seed systems that are farmer-managed and rooted in knowledge, culture, experimentation, and biodiversity. However, intellectual-property regimes such as UPOV 1991 can restrict customary practices around saving, exchanging, and selling protected seed. Experts warn that if investment in African crops produces varieties over which farmers progressively lose control, this will undermine African food sovereignty.
The alternative to the current model of agricultural development is a science that serves farmers and food sovereignty. This approach would prioritize participatory plant breeding, farmer-led research, and collaboration between public institutions, universities, and farming communities. Such an approach can improve drought tolerance, pest resistance, nutritional quality, and yield while maintaining diversity and farmer control.
The current enthusiasm for African adapted crops presents an opportunity to rethink the way that agricultural development is approached. Experts argue that Africa's strength lies in its diversity, and that commercial investment should not be allowed to undermine this diversity. Instead, investment should focus on supporting small-scale farmers and promoting food sovereignty.
Ultimately, the question that should guide every policy paper, investment proposal, and research program is: who kept these crops alive while formal research, policy, and markets neglected them? The answer is African farmers, particularly women, who have played a crucial role in conserving and developing these crops over generations. Their knowledge, practices, and perspectives must be at the forefront of any efforts to promote African adapted crops.
Key points
- Experts warn that new enthusiasm for African adapted crops risks repeating old agricultural model.
- Investment in African crops must prioritize farmer-led systems, knowledge, and diversity.
- Seed control is central to the debate around African adapted crops, with concerns that intellectual-property regimes could restrict customary practices.
