Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach
Diversifying food systems with traditional multi-purpose crops like sorghum, cassava, and amaranth is key to improving food security and nutrition. However, studies focusing on a variety of nutrient-dense crops, addressing research, policy, and practice, are missing. Most research focuses on cereals...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175256 |
| _version_ | 1855519127143186432 |
|---|---|
| author | Munialo, S. Madzorera, I. Lartey, A. Noor, R.A. Thiam, A. Covic, Namukolo M. Amos, L. Adelheid, O. Baye, K. Nikiema, L.O. Wafaie, F. Sibanda, L.M. |
| author_browse | Adelheid, O. Amos, L. Baye, K. Covic, Namukolo M. Lartey, A. Madzorera, I. Munialo, S. Nikiema, L.O. Noor, R.A. Sibanda, L.M. Thiam, A. Wafaie, F. |
| author_facet | Munialo, S. Madzorera, I. Lartey, A. Noor, R.A. Thiam, A. Covic, Namukolo M. Amos, L. Adelheid, O. Baye, K. Nikiema, L.O. Wafaie, F. Sibanda, L.M. |
| author_sort | Munialo, S. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Diversifying food systems with traditional multi-purpose crops like sorghum, cassava, and amaranth is key to improving food security and nutrition. However, studies focusing on a variety of nutrient-dense crops, addressing research, policy, and practice, are missing. Most research focuses on cereals like sorghum, overlooking other crops such as vegetables, root crops, legumes, and nuts, limiting nutrient diversity in food system. A review of five traditional crops—sorghum, amaranth, cassava, cowpea, and cashew nuts—assessed research, policy, and practice, aiming to enhance food systems. The review found that existing initiatives on traditional crops are mainly production-focused and region-specific, with gaps in processing, value addition, marketing, nutrition, consumption, and transport. Limited policies and stakeholder involvement has hindered commercialization. Key recommendations should be implemented across research, practice, and policy along the food systems. Research actions include improving taxonomic classification, developing modern breeding programs, researching yield gaps, and enhancing understanding of transport and logistics. Practical strategies involve improving field management through training, integrating informal and formal seed systems, and promoting commercial use. Policies should address all food system aspects including processing, consumption, marketing, and transportation. Increased stakeholder engagement across the value chain is essential for unlocking the potential of traditional crops. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace175256 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Informa UK Limited |
| publisherStr | Informa UK Limited |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1752562025-10-26T12:54:34Z Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach Munialo, S. Madzorera, I. Lartey, A. Noor, R.A. Thiam, A. Covic, Namukolo M. Amos, L. Adelheid, O. Baye, K. Nikiema, L.O. Wafaie, F. Sibanda, L.M. food systems policies research crops Diversifying food systems with traditional multi-purpose crops like sorghum, cassava, and amaranth is key to improving food security and nutrition. However, studies focusing on a variety of nutrient-dense crops, addressing research, policy, and practice, are missing. Most research focuses on cereals like sorghum, overlooking other crops such as vegetables, root crops, legumes, and nuts, limiting nutrient diversity in food system. A review of five traditional crops—sorghum, amaranth, cassava, cowpea, and cashew nuts—assessed research, policy, and practice, aiming to enhance food systems. The review found that existing initiatives on traditional crops are mainly production-focused and region-specific, with gaps in processing, value addition, marketing, nutrition, consumption, and transport. Limited policies and stakeholder involvement has hindered commercialization. Key recommendations should be implemented across research, practice, and policy along the food systems. Research actions include improving taxonomic classification, developing modern breeding programs, researching yield gaps, and enhancing understanding of transport and logistics. Practical strategies involve improving field management through training, integrating informal and formal seed systems, and promoting commercial use. Policies should address all food system aspects including processing, consumption, marketing, and transportation. Increased stakeholder engagement across the value chain is essential for unlocking the potential of traditional crops. 2025 2025-06-24T04:58:32Z 2025-06-24T04:58:32Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175256 en Open Access Informa UK Limited Munialo, S., Madzorera, I., Lartey, A., Noor, R.A., Thiam, A., Covic, N., Amos, L., Adelheid, O., Baye, K., Nikiema, L.O., Wafaie, F. and Sibanda, L.M. 2025. Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach. Food Reviews International |
| spellingShingle | food systems policies research crops Munialo, S. Madzorera, I. Lartey, A. Noor, R.A. Thiam, A. Covic, Namukolo M. Amos, L. Adelheid, O. Baye, K. Nikiema, L.O. Wafaie, F. Sibanda, L.M. Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach |
| title | Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach |
| title_full | Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach |
| title_short | Comparative Analysis of Five African Traditional Multipurpose Crops Using a Food Systems Approach |
| title_sort | comparative analysis of five african traditional multipurpose crops using a food systems approach |
| topic | food systems policies research crops |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175256 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT munialos comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT madzorerai comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT larteya comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT noorra comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT thiama comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT covicnamukolom comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT amosl comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT adelheido comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT bayek comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT nikiemalo comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT wafaief comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach AT sibandalm comparativeanalysisoffiveafricantraditionalmultipurposecropsusingafoodsystemsapproach |