VOA常速英语:Plans and Hopes for Developing “Lost Crops of Africa”

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Experts call them "lost crops" if they haven't been studied enough and developed to their full potential. In an effort to change that, an NGO in Washington, the National Research Council, has published three books called the "Lost Crops of Africa." It comes in three volumes – one on grains, one on vegetables, and one on fruits.

One of the experts who's studied them is Adi Damania, a genetic resources data analyst with the Department of Plant Sciences at the Davis campus of the University of California. In this part of a five-part series, the UCLA analyst says it's an encouraging sign that two agricultural centers have been set up to research the lost crops. Both are part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the C-G-I-A-R:

"Until the setting up of the C-G-I-A-R centers such as the International Center for Research in the Semi-arid Tropics, called ICRISAT, and the African Rice Center, called WARDA, W-A-R-D-A, there was very little research being done on Africa's lost crops. It seemed that the world had forgotten about Africa. The western countries did not consume African grains and vegetables and the Asian countries that did, produced more than enough for their own use so they didn't need any imports, he says."

But like other experts concerned with reviving the lost crops, Damania says neglect can be overcome, "I agree that more money and expertise should be devoted to exploiting the great potential of these crops, not only for the benefit of the African people but also for the rest of the world's poor regions."

The university specialist says the continent's present agricultural situation is not like what it was in the past:

"Africa, which was once a resource-rich continent, has been turned into a continent that is synonymous with hunger and famine and disease. This should not be so, because with correct and judicious use of funds and resources, Africa can not only recover to feed itself, as it once did in the past, but in doing so [can] also retain its rich traditions and tribal cultures that it has, and the indigenous knowledge as well."

Damania says increased attention on reviving Africa's lost crops can be encouraged by greater use of the media:

"The best means would be more publicity through radio and TV programs, visits of high-profile people, for example…Princess Diana's involvement in getting rid of the landmines and fighting HIV. That really helped. So if similar high-profile people will get involved in promoting research on the lost crops of Africa that would really help this case, he says."

The plant genetics specialist says other measures that need to be taken include research on improving crop yield, modifying the lost crops to adapt to climate change, and improving grain preservation, "We not only need funds, but also expertise and necessary infrastructure, and storage facilities for the grains. A very large proportion of African grain harvests is lost due to lack of proper storage facilities."

He says much harvest waste is due to rodents and insects and that concrete warehouses could eliminate the problem.

Damania says the primary goal for developing the lost crops should be "self reliance and self sufficiency in sustainable food production…" Then steps could be taken to develop them for export.

The agriculturist compares the continent's past to its present:

"I find it a little bit ironic that life began in Africa, according to the archeological finds and the information that we have that humans first walked on this earth in Africa and spread from Africa. And the very part that gave rise to human beings, today is the one which needs human help the most," he says. 

If you'd like more information or want to read the Lost Crops of Africa, go to the National Academy website at www.nap.edu . By the way, these books are available free in Africa. That web address again is "Books.nap.edu"