Senegal and Burkina Faso are increasingly exposed to extreme weather due to climate change. As a result, the yields of staple foods are set to decline significantly during the 21st century, adding more pressure on the already highly strained local food systems.
An overlooked and underutilised group of plants that could fill this shortfall are indigenous vegetables and tree crops. They are well-adapted to the local climate, less affected by pests and diseases and therefore require fewer inputs. Moreover, many of them are highly nutritious and often part of the resident food culture.
The NutriGreen project will research these traditional plants to understand how their production and consumption can be amplified through sustainable nutri-sensitive food value chains (VCs) to foster a climate-resilient local agri-food system, especially filling the food supply gap during the seasonal hunger period.
To reduce volatility in agri-food production and food markets, the project will analyse, identify and test innovative technologies in the production, post-harvest/processing and marketing of selected traditional plants in Gaoua in Burkina Faso and Louga in Senegal. To engage consumers and improve food security, NutriGreen will develop new products, healthy recipes and information campaigns.
*At the time of the proposal. Please consider this data as an accurate estimate; it may vary during the project’s lifespan.
Total costs include in kind contribution by grant holders and can therefore be higher than the total requested funding.