The South Pacific nation of Vanuatu is having its National Agriculture Expo 2026 from August 3–7, 2026, on the northern island of Maewo. I’ve scoured the internet for information about this, but all I could find was social media posts, which I won’t link to, but you can find for yourself quite easily. I will, though, share, with thanks, this photo from one of those posts from Facebook. It’s of the 20-metre tower built by the taro farmers of Maewo, showcasing their product. Because it’s amazing.
The flour of Kenyan agrobiodiversity marketing
Here’s the latest in my continuing series of posts on interesting approaches to marketing agricultural biodiversity here in Kenya.
I was pleasantly surprised by this product, which seems to add finger millet and cassava to your basic maize flour for making ugali. A nice way to add taste and nutrients. And support some minor crops.
And this line of porridges is quite impressive, in the range — and presentation — of both their composition and consumer targeting.
Kenyan tradition, served fast
I want to put up another quick post on the theme of innovative marketing of so-called “opportunity crops” in Kenyan supermarkets. Yesterday it was nicely packaged frozen amaranth leaves that struck me. Today it’s pre-cooked single portions of traditional dishes. No need to refrigerate. Just heat. And eat.
Frozen amaranth and warm memories
Coming across this new (at least for me) frozen amaranth product in a Nairobi supermarket yesterday…
…reminded me that the Amaranth Institute Symposium 2026 is coming up soon.
It really is amazing the progress in the marketing and consumption of traditional vegetables that Kenyans have made in the 30 years since I made my infinitesimal contribution.
Nibbles: Apple-banana paradox, Genebanks, Indian wheat, Indian wild rice, Kenya community seed banks, Wild coffee, Macadamia history, Taro research, Cacti
- Why the modern food system prizes uniformity even though resilience depends on diversity. Spoiler alert: follow the money.
- Historic crop varieties are finding renewed relevance as farmers contend with more volatile weather, emerging pests and changing markets. Let’s hope there’s money to conserve them.
- India’s traditional wheat varieties contain diversity that could help breeders develop crops better able to withstand heat and drought. Let’s hope there’s money to conserve them.
- India announces significant progress in conserving its wild rice genetic resources. Great that there was money to conserve them.
- Community seed banks across Kenya are calling for formal recognition and sustained support, arguing that locally managed collections strengthen seed sovereignty, preserve traditional varieties and help farming communities adapt to climate change. Yes, but are they enough without national genebanks?
- Researchers are racing to conserve wild coffee species whose genetic diversity may provide the resistance and resilience needed to secure tomorrow’s morning cup. Is the industry contributing, though ?
- New history of the macadamia traces its remarkable journey from Australia’s native forests to a global crop, while underscoring why conserving the remaining wild populations is essential for the crop’s long-term future.
- Researchers at the University of the South Pacific investigate how taro can withstand climate change, combining research with conservation to help protect one of the region’s most culturally and nutritionally important staple crops.
- Chester Zoo collects seeds from highly threatened cacti, because why not?