Lost Crops of Africa: Volume I: Grains (1996)

Summary: Scenes of starvation have drawn the world's attention to Africa's agricultural and environmental crisis. Some observers question whether this continent can ever hope to feed its growing population. Yet there is an overlooked food resource in sub-Saharan Africa that has vast potential: native food plants. Africa has more than 2,000 native grains and fruits-"lost" species due for rediscovery and exploitation. This volume focuses on native cereals, including African rice, finger millet, fonio (acha), pearl millet, sorghum, and tef. This book dispels myths, often based on Western bias, about the nutritional value, flavor, and yield of these African grains. The volume is organized with increasing levels of detail to meet the needs of both lay and professional readers. The authors present the available information on where and how each grain is grown, harvested, and processed, and they list its benefits and limitations as a food source. The authors describe "next steps" for increasing the use of each grain, outline research needs, and address issues in building commercial production.