Africa Manifesto and Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
FARA
Abstract
The Africa Manifesto and Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods presents a continental framework for promoting the production, utilization, conservation, and commercialization of forgotten foods in Africa. The document argues that Africa's increasing food insecurity is linked to an overreliance on a limited number of staple crops and the gradual abandonment of traditional food systems. Forgotten foods are identified as valuable resources with significant nutritional, medicinal, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits that can contribute to food security, poverty reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
The manifesto highlights the limited research, policy attention, extension support, and market development devoted to forgotten foods and calls for coordinated action among governments, research institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and farming communities. It proposes strategic interventions including awareness creation, research and innovation, participatory breeding, sustainable seed systems, conservation of genetic resources, market development, capacity strengthening, policy advocacy, curriculum integration, and resource mobilization.
The document serves as both a policy advocacy instrument and a strategic roadmap for integrating forgotten foods into Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda, while contributing to the achievement of food and nutrition security, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development goals.
Description
This publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of forgotten foods in transforming African food systems. It examines their nutritional value, contribution to food security, adaptation to climate variability, and importance in preserving biodiversity and indigenous knowledge systems.
The manifesto outlines three broad pillars:
1. Establishing dedicated research and innovation systems for the identification, characterization, breeding, conservation, and commercialization of forgotten foods.
2. Building institutional and human capacity through awareness creation, infrastructure development, education, and policy support.
3. Strengthening partnerships and stakeholder engagement, particularly involving youth, women, research organizations, policymakers, and private sector actors.
The action plan proposes practical measures such as developing sustainable seed systems, conserving genetic resources, promoting market access, integrating forgotten foods into educational curricula, and mobilizing investments to scale research and development activities.
Keywords
Forgotten Foods, Neglected and Underutilized Species, Food Security, Nutrition, Climate Change, Agricultural Innovation, Biodiversity, Seed Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, Indigenous Foods, Food Systems Transformation, Agricultural Research, Policy Development, Resilience
Citation
Africa Manifesto and Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods. (n.d.). Policy and strategic action framework for promoting forgotten foods in Africa. 83 pp.