114
knowledge gap through two approaches applied to eastern and southern African
nations. First, we process community-level production data sets to see if perennial
NOC species can help fill seasonal gaps in diets subnationally, as part of ‘crop portfolios’. Second, using country-level data sets on perennial and annual crop production that are freely available through FAOSTAT (FAOSTAT 2017; see Garibaldi
et al. 2011; Khoury et al. 2014 as quoted in the current paper for other examples of
the use of these or derived data sets), we explore year-on-year variability in yields
for a subset of nations in the region. Beyond this, we explore constraints to perennial NOC integration into the region’s food systems, again making use of FAOSTAT
data; we also outline some current approaches to overcoming these barriers. We
reference the work of the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC 2018) which
focuses on production-based NOC interventions, including the training of African
plant breeders to use advanced crop improvement methods. Although crop improvement is essential, we outline coinvestments that are also necessary, including in
delivery systems to supply improved and adapted planting material of perennial
NOC to farmers.
10.2 Can Perennial NOC Contribute to the Resilience
of Eastern and Southern African Food Systems?
10.2.1 Perennial NOC Foods and Crop Portfolios
To explore if perennial NOC foods can support seasonal gaps in diets that may be
vulnerable to climate-change-related alterations in weather patterns, we have surveyed food systems in rural locations in a range of African countries. The methods
for this research have been described elsewhere (McMullin et al. 2017), but involve
characterising socio-ecological site-specific food production and consumption
information, including the seasonal availability of foods. Food insecurity among
farming households is also estimated.
This research shows that perennial NOC foods can be highly important for supporting local consumers’ diets in food insecure months at a subnational level in
African countries, as illustrated by the case of Siaya County in southwestern Kenya
(Fig. 10.1). In addition to filling harvest gaps, the portfolio is adjusted to address
certain nutrient gaps, such as in pro-vitamins A and C that are often lacking in diets
in SSA and whose absence has significant detrimental health consequences. Selected
crop portfolios are then recommended to farmers for specific locations.
This analysis is based on consumption being tightly linked with what foods are
produced locally. While such a connection is often found in subsistence farming
(Powell et al. 2015), incomes and market access affect the relationship (Sibhatu
et al. 2015). These aspects require further exploration, while across-season measurements are required to account for the effects of changing weather patterns on
crop phenologies, to better model climate change effects.
I. K. Dawson et al.
knowledge gap through two approaches applied to eastern and southern African
nations. First, we process community-level production data sets to see if perennial
NOC species can help fill seasonal gaps in diets subnationally, as part of ‘crop portfolios’. Second, using country-level data sets on perennial and annual crop production that are freely available through FAOSTAT (FAOSTAT 2017; see Garibaldi
et al. 2011; Khoury et al. 2014 as quoted in the current paper for other examples of
the use of these or derived data sets), we explore year-on-year variability in yields
for a subset of nations in the region. Beyond this, we explore constraints to perennial NOC integration into the region’s food systems, again making use of FAOSTAT
data; we also outline some current approaches to overcoming these barriers. We
reference the work of the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC 2018) which
focuses on production-based NOC interventions, including the training of African
plant breeders to use advanced crop improvement methods. Although crop improvement is essential, we outline coinvestments that are also necessary, including in
delivery systems to supply improved and adapted planting material of perennial
NOC to farmers.
10.2 Can Perennial NOC Contribute to the Resilience
of Eastern and Southern African Food Systems?
10.2.1 Perennial NOC Foods and Crop Portfolios
To explore if perennial NOC foods can support seasonal gaps in diets that may be
vulnerable to climate-change-related alterations in weather patterns, we have surveyed food systems in rural locations in a range of African countries. The methods
for this research have been described elsewhere (McMullin et al. 2017), but involve
characterising socio-ecological site-specific food production and consumption
information, including the seasonal availability of foods. Food insecurity among
farming households is also estimated.
This research shows that perennial NOC foods can be highly important for supporting local consumers’ diets in food insecure months at a subnational level in
African countries, as illustrated by the case of Siaya County in southwestern Kenya
(Fig. 10.1). In addition to filling harvest gaps, the portfolio is adjusted to address
certain nutrient gaps, such as in pro-vitamins A and C that are often lacking in diets
in SSA and whose absence has significant detrimental health consequences. Selected
crop portfolios are then recommended to farmers for specific locations.
This analysis is based on consumption being tightly linked with what foods are
produced locally. While such a connection is often found in subsistence farming
(Powell et al. 2015), incomes and market access affect the relationship (Sibhatu
et al. 2015). These aspects require further exploration, while across-season measurements are required to account for the effects of changing weather patterns on
crop phenologies, to better model climate change effects.
I. K. Dawson et al.