Inimbom Bassey’s Post

For years, US AID in Africa has pushed the crops America grows as part of their foreign aid, ignoring Africa's rich tapestry of indigenous crops and pushing the continent towards them same over-centralization that the American agricultural system has. Last year, they reversed that position. That's one of many factors that has led to a huge boom for native crops in Africa. Our goal at Manzanita is to do the exact same thing for the native crops of California and the western United States - many of which are far better adapted to drought and climate change than the conventional crops that dominate our grocery stores. It's an idea whose time has come. https://lnkd.in/g4dCJVEw

Pulse crops are life-sustaining nutritious foods that nourish families and empower communities across Africa and the Middle East. On World Pulse Day, CropLife Africa and Middle East celebrates the humble lentil, chickpea, bean and pea—crops that fortify the health and economy of our region. As an association that advocates for safe, sustainable agriculture utilising innovation, we salute the hardworking farmers who cultivate these essential pulse crops. Your efforts contribute to affordable, homegrown protein sources building food security. Pulses present answers for priorities like water conservation, soil enrichment and elevated smallholder farmer livelihoods. Paired with emerging technologies increasing nutritional profiles, early maturing traits and climate resilience, they hold promise for a future where accessing affordable nutrition becomes more equitable. This World Pulse Day, we encourage all those involved in getting pulses from fertile ground to family tables, to come together in support of these nutritious seeds of possibility. Through shared knowledge and solutions, we can unleash the full potential of pulses to create affirmative change. #WorldPulsesDay #CLAME

Would you like to know the status of emerging plant pests in Eastern African countries? The report describes the status of their distribution in eastern Africa, biological characteristics, description of hosts and symptoms on hosts as well as their economic importance and associated phytosanitary risks. Check this out! Baseline survey on emerging pests in Eastern Africa (fao.org) #planthealth #plant #fao

Neglected crops are among the underappreciated solutions for alleviating Africa's food and climate crises. Worldwide, food security is increasingly compromised owing to climate change. From extended droughts to extreme heatwaves, agriculture is being reshaped. Africa is already grappling with widespread famine due to crop failure and low production rates, partly driven by land use and agricultural practice changes, which are even more pronounced now. As the food and climate crises continue to cause

As the world population continues to grow, much more effort and innovation will be urgently needed in order to sustainably increase agricultural production, improve the global supply chain, decrease food losses and waste, and ensure that all who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition have access to nutritious food. Agricultural systems worldwide must become more productive and less wasteful. Sustainable agricultural practices and food systems, including both production and consumption, must be pursued from a holistic and integrated perspective. According to global statistics by UNICEF and the United Nations, millions of people suffer from food insecurity and poverty. In my home country, Nigeria, over half the population lives in persistent poverty, with the northern regions most affected. The northeast faces severe malnutrition, driven by insurgent activities, climate challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting impacts. I have personally witnessed the devastating effects of poverty, malnutrition, and food scarcity, especially in rural areas. During my undergraduate studies, I completed a research project titled “Economic Characteristics and Sensory Properties of Broiler Chickens Administered Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Garlic (Allium sativum) And Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extracts”, which was published in the 43rd annual journal of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production. My one-year National Youth Service at the National Veterinary Research Institute further honed my practical skills in livestock management, and my community service in teaching farmers innovative and cost-effective farming techniques deepened my commitment to agricultural sustainability. With a degree in Agriculture and an advanced diploma in Community Health, I have developed a strong foundation in the scientific and social dimensions of food systems, public health, and sustainable development. My academic background, combined with practical experience in both fields, has instilled in me a profound appreciation for how food security and biodiversity influence global health outcomes. The global food crisis demands urgent action. Let’s invest in sustainable agriculture, reduce food waste, and ensure access to nutritious food for all. #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture #EndHunger #MalnutritionSolutions #ReduceFoodWaste #AgriculturalInnovation #GlobalHunger #BiodiversityInAgriculture #FoodSystems #ClimateChangeAndFood #NutritiousFood #FightPoverty #SupplyChainSolutions #SustainableFarming #FoodAccessForAll

🎊 Last year, HarvestPlus celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of embedding essential minerals and vitamins in food systems through biofortified staple crops. Building capacity and strengthening the ecosystem that supports biofortified crops is essential for the accelerated uptake and consumption of nutritious foods. In 2023, HarvestPlus and partners empowered more than 17.1 million smallholder farmers and over 2,900 value chain actors with knowledge and tools to improve livelihoods and build their resilience to shocks, ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to affordable, safe and nutritious foods.  📗👉  To learn more, download the report. https://lnkd.in/eqyhJtVW    #HPAR2023 #HarvestPlus #HiddenHunger #Biofortification #FoodSecurity Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada HarvestPlus Solutions International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) AGRA FAO USAID Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation The Rockefeller Foundation Asian Development Bank (ADB)

No more nutritional poverty. Visions and pathways for future farmers in the East Midlands and East of England. Agroecology is a cornerstone of our ethical future economy. Are you a policy influencer in this space? https://lnkd.in/eEj47eFq

Crop Protection: A Key Solution to Food Insecurity in Kenya and Africa Food insecurity remains a critical global concern, underscored by Sustainable Development Goal \(SDG\) 2: Zero Hunger. Since 2015, there has been a worrying increase in global hunger, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, armed con... [...] #Climate #Crops #FoodInsecurity Read more... https://lnkd.in/dX_BYUfX

New Post: Svalbard Global Seed Vault Receives Historic Deposit Bolstering Food Security Amid Crises - https://lnkd.in/eGpU4vqf Global Seed Vault Receives Historic Deposit Bolstering Food Security Amid Criseshttps://lnkd.in/eW-w4AHq, SVALBARD —— The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received a deposit of more than 30,000 new seed samples from 23 depositors across 21 countries, including seven international genebanks. BOLD Bolivia. LM Salazar LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD —— The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received a deposit of more than 30,000 new seed samples from 23 depositors across 21 countries, including seven international genebanks. This marks the largest number of depositors since the Seed Vault received samples from a record-breaking 35 genebanks in 2020, underscoring the urgent global effort to conserve crop diversity in the face of escalating climate change, conflict and other crises. The deposit includes first-time contributions from genebanks in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chad, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Suriname. The Crop Trust is providing financial and technical support to these and other countries to help them preserve their collections in the long term. This support is made possible by generous financial contributions from Norway as part of the ‘Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods, and Development’ (BOLD) project. "Climate change and conflict threaten infrastructure and impact food security for over 700 million people in more than 75 countries worldwide. Genebanks are ramping up efforts to back up seed collections, and we are proud to support them by providing a haven in Svalbard,” said Stefan Schmitz, executive director of the Crop Trust. Recent climate data underscores the urgency of this work. 2023 was the hottest year since global records began by a wide margin. Of the 30 deadliest weather events ever recorded in Africa, five occurred in 2022-2023, and Asia remains the world's most disaster-prone region. Meanwhile, yields of the main cereals in sub-Saharan Africa are less than half the world average. This highlights the pressing need to conserve, explore and use the diversity of forgotten crops and the better-known staples found in the world’s genebanks. “Humanity depends on a wide diversity of genetic resources to meet future challenges. Therefore, it is gratifying that many genebanks choose to be part of this seed deposit,” said Lise Lykke Steffensen, executive director of the Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen). “The Seed Vault has an important purpose to secure these valuable collections, not least given the state of the world today. We are pleased to continue working on this task.” The Svalbard Global Seed Vault operates through a partnership between the Norwegian M

🌱 Cassava Roots: A Key to Food Security in Africa 🌍 Cassava is more than just a staple crop—it’s a lifeline for millions of people across Africa and other tropical regions. As we continue to explore solutions to food insecurity, cassava roots stand out for their potential to enhance agricultural resilience and provide sustainable food sources. Here’s why cassava plays a vital role in food security: 1. High Yield & Resilience 🌾: Cassava is highly adaptable to poor soils and can thrive even in drought-prone areas. This makes it a crucial crop for regions facing climate challenges, ensuring consistent harvests where other crops might fail. 2. Rich Nutritional Value 🍽️: Cassava roots are rich in carbohydrates, serving as a primary energy source for millions of households. Additionally, cassava leaves are a great source of protein and essential nutrients, adding to its overall dietary value. 3. Versatility 🔄: Cassava can be processed into a wide variety of products—garri, fufu, cassava flour, starch, and even biofuel. This versatility makes it not only a food source but also a livelihood for farmers and entrepreneurs, driving economic growth. 4. Long Shelf Life⏳: Cassava can be stored in its processed form (such as flour or starch) for long periods, making it a reliable food source during off-seasons or in times of crisis. 5. Global Impact 🌍: With its rising demand in both food and industrial sectors, cassava has the potential to improve both food security and economic stability across Africa and beyond. Investing in cassava—from improved farming practices to better post-harvest handling and processing—will not only empower rural farmers but also provide sustainable food solutions that can feed the growing population. 🌱💡 Cassava is more than a crop—it’s a pathway to a food-secure future.🌍💪 #FoodSecurity #CassavaFarming #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #AfricaRising #RuralDevelopment #EconomicGrowth IITA-CASSAVABREEDING #NutritionSecurity PC Dennis Leonardo Aiyevbekpen