Lost Crops of Africa: Volume I: Grains Contributor(s): National Research Council (Author), Policy and Global Affairs (Author), Office of International Affairs (Author) |
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ISBN: 0309049903 ISBN-13: 9780309049900 Publisher: National Academies Press OUR PRICE: $61.75 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: March 1996 Annotation: 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, presenting information on where and how they are grown, harvested, and processed, their benefits and limitations as a food source, and the the futures of each grain. |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Technology & Engineering | Agriculture - Agronomy - Crop Science - Science | Life Sciences - Horticulture |
Dewey: 338.109 |
LCCN: 93086876 |
Series: Lost Crops of Africa Vol. I |
Physical Information: 0.9" H x 6.05" W x 9.01" (1.22 lbs) 408 pages |
Themes: - Cultural Region - African |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: 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. When experts were asked to nominate African food plants for inclusion in a new book, a list of 30 species grew quickly to hundreds. All in all, Africa has more than 2,000 native grains and fruits?lost species due for rediscovery and exploitation. This volume focuses on native cereals, including:
This readable and engaging book dispels myths, often based on Western bias, about the nutritional value, flavor, and yield of these African grains. Designed as a tool for economic development, 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. Sidebars cover such interesting points as the potential use of gene mapping and other high-tech agricultural techniques on these grains. This fact-filled volume will be of great interest to agricultural experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, and individuals concerned about restoring food production, environmental health, and economic opportunity in sub-Saharan Africa. Selection, Newbridge Garden Book Club |