Lost Crops of Africa - Volume I: Grains

This report is the first in a series of three evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The volume focuses on native cereals (African rice, Finger millet, Sorghum, and other cultivated and wild grains) that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists and policymakers and in the world at large. The book presents the available information on where and how each grain is grown, harvested, and processed, and they list its benefits and limitations as a food source. Then it describes "next steps" for increasing the use of each grain, outlines research needs, and addresses issues in building commercial production.