1401. Crops That Nourish

Sub-Saharan Africa's agricultural systems are at a crossroads of transformation. In an era of uncertainty in global systems and markets, the region is experiencing a rapid growth in its young, well-educated population, providing significant energy to accelerate food system transformation. However, biophysical (e.g., land degradation), socioeconomic (e.g., food insecurity), and (geo)political (e.g., conflict) challenges remain and are closely interrelated.

Traditional agricultural research has achieved significant yield increases and stabilized producer prices for staple grains, particularly across Asia, but it has also created unintended consequences for environmental sustainability and nutrition. Furthermore, its focus on rice, wheat, and maize has overlooked most crops in Africa. In recent years, agricultural research has been called upon to take a broader perspective and design holistic agri-food systems.

The food systems transformation paradigm goes beyond narrow concerns of food security (calories) and crop productivity (yield) to incorporate factors such as nutrition, soil health, resilience, climate change, improved market access, and local prosperity for rural communities. An editorial published in Nature Food proposes the concept of "crops that nourish," promoting participatory research, respecting local needs and ownership, and urging the creation of healthier and more resilient food systems through increased crop diversity using opportunity crops.

"Crops that nourish" refer to crops and cropping systems that improve soil health, are resilient to environmental stresses, are highly nutritious, and are produced through participatory processes that empower farmers and their communities, providing private and public benefits. In particular, crops historically neglected in agricultural research (i.e., underutilized crops) could be reevaluated as opportunity crops. For example, amaranth is rich in protein, fiber, iron, and phytochemicals, is generally tolerant of large fluctuations in climatic conditions, and is expected to benefit neighboring and subsequent plants by converting insoluble phosphorus in the soil into a form that plants can absorb.

Research is needed to fill evidence gaps through the "crops that nourish" concept, while encouraging farmer participation and respecting local needs and ownership. Approaches that measure success on factors beyond yield alone are also required.

(Reference)
Schneider-Lecy, K., Gonzalez, F.A., Becker-Reshef, I. et al. Agricultural research approaches for crops that nourish by improving nutrition, soil health, resilience, and prosperity. Nat Food (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-025-01271-3

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program