Prospects for quinoa adaptation and utilization in Eastern and Southern Africa

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), is an emerging crop in the world with great potential to contribute to Africa’s food and nutritional security. The increased popularity of quinoa in the last few years is attributed to the impact of activities carried out within the framework of the International Year of Quinoa (IYQ2013) which helped greatly to raise awareness on the crop’s multiple nutritional benefits and its expanding cultivation globally. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which championed the IYQ2013 has worked with developing countries in Africa, which are grappling with food and nutrition insecurity, to introduce and promote cultivation of quinoa. Production and utilization of quinoa is expected to significantly reduce food and nutrition insecurity and help farming communities adapt to climate change. FAO implemented a Technical Cooperation on quinoa titled “Technical Assistance for the Strengthening of the Food System of Quinoa” (TCP/SFE/3406) implemented in 2014 to 2015. This project was designed to support the institutional capacities of seven countries including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia, in the production, evaluation, management, utilization, and marketing of Quinoa under diverse farming systems and agro-ecological zones. The project was implemented and led by the FAO Subregional office for Eastern Africa (SFE). Quinoa evaluation trials that were conducted across multiple sites in the participating countries served as pilot adaptability studies for the crop. This technical paper presents key technological, institutional and policy consideration for the successful introduction, adaptation and utilization of quinoa in Africa.