Nothing to eat

19 cities in the world with 20 million people in the 21st century is a slide show that sets out a jaw-dropping agenda to study the near future. The slide are wonderful, so is the concept. One can but hope that the results will be too. Just one little niggle: nowhere among the 14 “subjects of exploration” does the word “food” appear. Health, yes. Nutrition, no. Water sources, yes. Agriculture, no. Maybe sustenance will find its way into all the explorations, but somehow I doubt it. ((Cross-posted from my other place.))

Underutilized plants finally get an airing

We don’t usually reproduce press releases here, but this is a good cause.

Hundreds of little-known indigenous plant species support the lives of the rural poor. These plants often have medicinal properties, provide nutrients to women and children, and are used for building materials, fodder and a multitude of other uses.

Called neglected or “underutilized,” these species collectively receive little attention from researchers, extension officers, farmers, policy and decision makers, donors, technology providers and consumers, yet they are vital to the wellbeing of millions of people. Many have untapped potential for processing into refreshments and snacks and for trade in the domestic and regional markets, thus providing poor people with new income opportunities.

An international Symposium is convened in Arusha, Tanzania 3-7 March 2008. 209 participants from 54 countries have come together to share and discuss approaches to promote underutilized plants in four main areas of importance: food security, nutrition and health, income generation, and environmental sustainability.

The Symposium is co-convened under the umbrella of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) by the Sri Lanka-based International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) and the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species, Bioversity International, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, GlobalHort and AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center, whose Regional Office for Africa is the local host.

Dr Hannah Jaenicke, Director of ICUC and the main convener of the Symposium says: “Many underutilized crops are plants used by the poor to meet their daily needs; they are not high priorities for national governments as are commodity crops.”

She continues: “Many of the people working on these plants feel isolated. They have no access to information from other countries, which is often not published. This symposium provides a unique opportunity for experts from around the world to exchange ideas and develop strategies for future collaboration.”

The Hon. Minister for Education and Vocational Training, the former Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof. Jumanne Maghembe will open the symposium.

Dr. Sidi Sanyang, representing Dr. Monty Jones, the Executive Secretary of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), will present the keynote address. Other distinguished guests at the Opening Ceremony are Dr. Norman E. Looney, President of the International Society of Horticultural Sciences and Dr. Jeremiah Haki, Director for Research and Development, Department of Agriculture.

LATER: And here’s the report.

Weekly helping of potatoes

The Economist seems to have a thing about potatoes this week. There’s a story about how Peru is trying to cash in on its spud heritage. (Note to editor: the olluco is not a type of potato.) There’s a book review, of John Reader’s Propitious Esculent. And there’s even an editorial explaining how the humble tuber is at the root — as it were — of globalization. The International Year of the Potato cannot be over too quickly.