Title : Sustainable agriculture: Harnessing plant biotechnology and underutilized crops for enhanced food security
Abstract:
As the global population continues to rise, the pressure on traditional agricultural systems to provide stable, nutritious food sources has reached a critical juncture. In Sub-Saharan Africa, food security is increasingly threatened by climate variability, soil degradation, and high rates of post-harvest loss. This presentation explores the intersection of plant biotechnology and food process engineering as a multifaceted solution to these challenges, specifically through the lens of underutilized perennial crops.
The core of sustainable biotechnology lies in enhancing crop resilience and nutritional density while minimizing environmental footprints. While much of the global discourse focuses on major staples like maize and rice, there is significant untapped potential in "orphan crops" that are naturally resilient to local stressors. This study highlights the cultivation and biotechnological potential of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) as a strategic intervention for food security in tropical regions —such as tissue culture for the rapid propagation of elite, high-yielding genotypes combined with advanced processing techniques to transform raw harvests into shelf-stable, value-added products. By converting underutilized fruits into nutrient-dense flours or meat-alternative fibers, we can significantly reduce the 30–40% wastage typically observed in tropical harvests.
Ultimately, the transition to a food-secure future requires a synergy between biotechnological innovation and the promotion of diverse, climate-smart crops. As a researcher at the National Higher Polytechnic Institute (NAHPI), I argue that a shift in focus toward the genetic improvement and industrial processing of locally adapted species like Jackfruit offers a viable, sustainable pathway to mitigating food crises and bolstering local agricultural economies.
