Enset in Ethiopia: a poorly characterized but resilient starch staple

Enset (Ensete ventricosum, Musaceae) is an African crop that currently provides the staple food for approx. 20 million Ethiopians. This underexploited starch crop grows over a relatively wide range of conditions, is somewhat drought-tolerant, and can be harvested at any time of the year, over several years. This paper reviews the current state of enset research and identifies gaps and opportunities, in order to catalyse the development and sustainable exploitation of this crop. Additionally, the study highlights the limited availability of enset germplasm in living collections and seed banks, and the lack of knowledge of reproductive and germination biology needed to underpin future breeding.