Improved varieties of indigenous African species - Baobab, groundnuts, white sapota, custard apple, marula, African eggplant, drum stick, lablab beans, finger millet and the common bean – will soon be available.

An article in the East African reports on the development of these ‘orphan crops’ through research conducted at the World Agroforestry Centre.

Orphan crops are those that that have been neglected by researchers and the industry in general because they are not economically important on the global market. This is despite their value to local communities, such as in providing nutrition and preventing hunger.

Now, through the African Plant Breeding Academy (and initiative of the African Orphan Crops Consortium), plant breeders are working on improving 100 orphan crops that can improve nutrition and contribute to food security. The improved varieties are more resilient to adverse conditions including those brought about by climate change; are more resistant to pests; more nutritious; and produce higher yields.

Ramni Jamnadass, head of research into Tree Diversity, Domestication and Delivery with the World Agroforestry Centre, says that 10 crops are in the final stages of analysis before being released into the market.”Their genomes have been sequenced, assembled and annotated to produce a better variety for planting,” said Ramni.

Hidden hunger (or a lack of essential vitamins and minerals) is a major issue in Africa and leads to a weaker immune system, stunts physical and intellectual growth, and could lead to death. It locks “countries into cycles of poor nutrition, lost productivity, poverty and reduced economic growth,” says the article.

Read the full story: Enhanced crops to help fight hunger in Africa

Find out more about the African Plant Breeding Academy

See a segment on orphan crops in Al Jazeera English’s Innovate Africa program (from 07.05-13.50 minutes): http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/innovate-africa/2014/11/transforming-food-20141117151248500352.html