Brainfood: Heraclitus, Cocoyam, Pollen, Dry chain, DSI, Global Biodiversity Framework

Mind the gap between crop diversity and nutrition

With all eyes on Cali for the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16), it is timely to have a close look at National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) from different perspectives. Do they properly address plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, for example? And if they do, do they make the link to nutrition?

That latter question is investigated in a new report from the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN), entitled “Biodiversity and Nutrition Synergies: Evaluating National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans for Integration.”

Spoiler alert:

The majority of NBSAPs mention food security (74%), indigenous knowledge (73%), and genetic diversity of crops (65%) yet did not link these concepts to nutrition. This presents a foundation and opportunity for future NBSAPs to develop these linkages…

So, out of all NBSAPs analysed, 168 (65%) mention genetic diversity. But of those, 99 show “no intentional connection between biodiversity and nutrition.”

Here’s an example from the report of an NBSAP that does show a connection, to show that it’s not difficult, really:

In describing the status and trends of biodiversity in Malawi, the NBSAP covers flora species diversity. Here, the NBSAP lists 14 species (e.g., Dioscorea bulbifera or yam, Curcubita maxima or squash, and others) that have a high nutritive value but are declining in production due to being out competed by major crops. The NBSAP also considers the contribution of different sectors to the country’s total protein supply.

So, overall, lots of missed opportunities to make an even stronger case for the conservation of biodiversity, in Cali and indeed elsewhere.

The latest on the Carolina African Runner Peanut

Jeremy’s latest newsletter discusses the (partial) revival of the Carolina African Runner Peanut by chefs. We have blogged about that here on before, but this is a useful update.

Believe it or not, there are other food podcasts worth listening to. One of them is Gravy, produced by the Southern Foodways Alliance. Recently I listened to the episode America’s Lost Peanut and the Price of Bringing it Back and I have no hesitation in recommending you do the same. It explores both the delight chefs have found in that Lost Peanut and the difficulties in making the peanut available at a price that non-chefs can afford.

The Carolina Runner peanut first hit modern headlines at the tail end of 2016, when it was exciting enough for me to record a little rumination casting doubt on some of the wilder claims that surrounded its resurrection. I also wrote at some length about the history of the peanut and world affairs. I did not, however, foresee how hard it would be for the Carolina Runner to compete with Virginia peanuts (which have more than a drop of African peanut in their bloodlines). The episode of Gravy explains that the nuts currently have to be shelled by hand, unlike Virginia peanuts that can be fed into huge and expensive machines. A quick look around the internet showed a few hand-operated shellers; is it really that difficult to adapt one to work with Carolina Runners?

Brainfood: Food systems, Micronutrients, Animal-source foods, Dietary diversity, Opportunity crops, Traditional landscapes, Gastronomic landscapes, Opportunity crops, Biofortification, Fermentation

The biofortification debate continues to continue

Sorry everyone, but I totally forgot to remind you all that Jeremy would be presenting a GROW webinar on biofortification yesterday. But fear not, the recording will be up soon, and of course Jeremy interviewed one of the authors of the Global Food Security paper behind the whole thing last year. Yes, he interviewed himself, take it up with him. Anyway, there was a reply to the paper. To which there was reply… No word yet on whether there will be a reply to the webinar.