SAFEGUARDING AND SHARING SEEDS

A new vegetable genebank for Africa

WorldVeg officially opened Africa’s Vegetable Genebank in March 2024, at its regional center for Eastern and Souther Africa, Arusha, Tanzania. This state-of-the-art facility replaces a seed repository that was established in 1992 and upgraded in 2017. It was constructed and equipped with generous funding through the Taiwan Africa Vegetable Initiative, with operations supported by NORAD, the FAO Plant Treaty, and the Crop Trust, helping to ensure that seeds are conserved and available for current and next generations. The genebank will benefit farmers and researchers in Africa and contributes to global efforts to address such as challenges from extreme weather, pests and diseases.

At the event, guests toured the genebank, and there were exhibitions that showcased germplasm collections, and added-value vegetables. The inauguration marks an important milestone for WorldVeg and its work on ensuring the collection, conservation, characterization, regeneration, and data management of vegetable germplasm. It includes seed processing and drying facilities, an acquisition room, climate-controlled seed storage, and a seed testing laboratory, providing a robust facility for safeguarding and utilizing vegetable genetic resources. This not only preserves valuable plant genetic material, but also supports research, breeding and development efforts to enhance agricultural productivity a 18 nd resilience.

See also: Taiwan helps launch largest vegetable gene bank in Africa. Nation donated NT$200 million to project under Taiwan Africa Vegetable Initiative

Among the accessions are three remarkable yet often overlooked species – blackjack (Bidens pilosa), jute mallow (Corchorus spp.), and spider plant (Cleome gynandra). Despite their exceptional nutritional value, they are frequently neglected in favor of commercial vegetables. Examples of neglected and underutilized species, they offer immense potential for future food and nutrition security. Blackjack, for example, is often seen as a weed, but the young leaves are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, calcium and magnesium, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet. Jute mallow, is another green leafy vegetable and is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in vitamins, iron and calcium, and is used in soups and stews cherished in African, Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines. By preserving these species alongside more commonly grown crops, their contributions to diets and health are not lost.