 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Study: African fruit is untapped resource
Washington (UPI) Jan 31, 2008 A report suggests native African fruits are an untapped resource that could help combat malnutrition and boost rural development on the African continent. The U.S. National Research Council said African science institutes, policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and individuals could use modern horticultural knowledge and scientific research to bring "lost crops" such as baobab, marula, and butterfruit to their full potential. The report said current tropical fruit production in Africa is dominated by species introduced from Asia and the Americas, such as bananas, pineapples, and papayas. Those and other crops arrived on the African continent centuries ago. Already improved through horticultural selection and breeding, they increasingly displaced the traditional species that had fed Africans for thousands of years. But, the report said, with renewed scientific and institutional support, Africa's native fruits could make a much greater contribution to nutrition and economic development. The researchers said fruit trees and shrubs also offer long-term benefits by improving the stability of the environment. The report is the third and final volume in a series that also explored the benefits of Africa's indigenous vegetable and grain crops. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology
Climate change could devastate South Asia, Africa crops: study
Chicago (AFP) Jan 31, 2008Climate change will cause severe crop losses in Africa and Asia within the next 20 years unless farming practices are changed, a study released Thursday has found. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
