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FAO and the African Orphan Crops Consortium Workshop

11 October 2024, Video Message by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General on FAO and the African Orphan Crops Consortium Workshop - Improving Local Agrifood Crops for Enhanced Yield and Nutrition in Africa:
Leveraging the Outcomes of the African Orphan Crops Consortium Model for Nutritional and Economic Impact

Language English

Duration 4m27s

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Video Type Video Message

Date 10/11/2024 1:34 PM

File size 483.27 MB

Unique ID UF17SCP

Production details and shotlist

Script Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. I wish to congratulate the graduates of the African Orphan Crops Consortium’s Plant Breeding Academy.

2. I look forward to continue working with you to tap into the full potential of Africa’s local agrifood systems.

3. Africa is home to a rich diversity of under-utilized crops, often referred to as “orphan crops.”

4. These orphan crops have played a vital role in local diets, cultural heritage, and ecosystems.

5. But these crops have remained neglected in research, investment, and policy discussions.

6. Today, we have the opportunity to change this situation.

7. The climate crisis and conflicts are putting global food security and nutrition at risk, as well as reversing our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

8. Last year, around 733 million people faced hunger – that is 1 out of 11 people in the world, and 1 out of 5 in Africa.

9. The challenge of sustainably producing more nutritious food and ensuring healthy diets is the most difficult in Africa.

10. For FAO, and for me personally, the African continent is a high priority.

11. The focus on African orphan crops is not just about food security – it is about empowering communities to cultivate crops that are resilient, nutritious, and locally adapted.

12. To do this, we will need to leverage science and innovation.

13. Cutting-edge innovations continue to emerge in agriculture, including new plant breeding techniques.

14. For this reason, the work of the Consortium is critical.

15. Since it was established in 2011, it has developed cutting edge tools for the genetic improvement of crops and sequenced the genomes of 75 of the 101 target crops and trees,

16. And has trained over 170 African scientists from 28 African countries to utilize these genomic resources.

17. We need to continue expanding and diversifying the crops available to farmers and consumers.

18. We need to produce more with less – using solutions from Africa, for Africa!

19. These solutions will come from cultivating crops that hold a comparative advantage in the region, which is in line with one of the first initiatives I launched in FAO – the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP).

20. Through the OCOP initiative, we are working with partners around the world to strengthen value chains of agricultural products – from production to consumption.

21. FAO, along with partners, is also supporting the global Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) to accelerate plant breeding efforts for a targeted set of crops.

22. Through these and other initiatives, we are bringing together technology, innovation, training and enabling policies for these “orphan” crops - crops that hold great opportunities.

23. We need to sustain the momentum of these significant advances and continue ensuring that African farmers and scientists have access to the best tools, equipment and technologies.

24. As I close, I would like to call on governments, researchers, the private sector, civil society, and all development partners to join forces to:
• ONE – make crop improvement technologies and innovations accessible to all;
• TWO – ensure no one is left behind, ensuring that farmers receive the benefits of crop improvement;
• THREE – develop local capacity through training; and
• FOUR – strengthen agricultural research and advisory services to improve food security and nutrition, especially in Africa.

25. I thank the African Orphan Crop Consortium for the fruitful partnership and look forward to our continued engagement.

26. Thank you.

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