BSF project "Policies and Practices to Facilitate the Implementation of Developed Strategies Actions for Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Use for the Improvement of Food and Nutrition under Changing Climatic Conditions"

In Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, maize is now considered a staple crop. However, the vigorous promotion of maize by the private sector has caused the loss of more traditional crops such as sorghum, groundnuts, bambara nuts, pearl and finger millets. These small grain crops have proved to be more resistant to climate change, especially to droughts that are now frequently occurring across the three countries. Given that maize production has been seriously affected by climate change, the re-introduction of small grain crops improves harvests, increases rural food security and improves the nutrition status for under-fives and expectant mothers in particular. The Benefit-sharing project "Policies and Practices to Facilitate the Implementation of Developed Strategies Actions for Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Use for the Improvement of Food and Nutrition under Changing Climatic Conditions" contributes to the improvement of food and nutrition security of 30,000 rural households in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The project aims to improve the management of the diversity of sorghum, millet, cowpea, and pigeon peas and to further develop and promote the growing of these crop varieties which are suited to the changing climate in this region.