FARA Publications

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14659/184

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    Proposed Roadmap for Integrating Opportunity Crops 2026–2035
    (FARA, 2026-08) FAO, FARA
    Africa's agrifood systems depend on a narrow range of staples, although the continent holds many indigenous crops with nutritional, climatic, cultural and economic value. Building on commitments from the 2003 Maputo and 2014 Malabo declarations, the 2013 Accra Statement, the Africa Manifesto on Forgotten Foods and the Kampala CAADP agenda, the roadmap aims to turn advocacy into coordinated, measurable action. Its vision is that, by 2035, identified opportunity crops are routinely conserved, improved, produced, traded, processed and consumed. Seven interlinked priorities run from conservation, research and seed delivery to value chains, policy and finance mainstreaming, capacity and coordinated delivery. Countries select crop portfolios against transparent criteria and review them every three years. Implementation runs in three phases: organize and prepare (2026–27), scale and validate (2028–30), and institutionalize and sustain (2031–35). A continental–regional–national coordination model uses existing mandates, with financing organized by portfolio rather than by isolated project. Progress is tracked through an annual continental scorecard and portfolio reviews in 2027, 2030 and 2035.
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    Report of the Regional Consultation on Opportunity Crops in Africa
    (FARA, 2026-08) FAO, FARA
    FAO and FARA convened a three-day hybrid consultation in Accra with researchers, policymakers, universities, development partners, farmer organizations, private-sector actors and regional institutions. The aim was a unified continental vision for indigenous and traditionally cultivated crops in Africa's agrifood systems. Participants agreed that "opportunity crops" conveys these species' strategic value better than "orphan" or "neglected". They also agreed that conservation alone is insufficient: benefits depend on coordinated investment across genetic resources, breeding, seed systems, value addition, markets, education, policy and finance. Sessions covered genetic resources, breeding for resilience, seed systems, market creation and the enabling environment. Working groups set seven strategic priorities: conserve and mobilize genetic resources; accelerate research and crop improvement; build inclusive seed systems; develop competitive value chains; mainstream the crops in policy and investment; strengthen human and institutional capacity; and establish coordinated continental implementation. The report closes with recommendations for governments, research institutions, universities, financing partners, the private sector, farmer organizations and regional bodies.