Food aplenty

SCENES of starvation inthe African, countriesare a common featureand a subject of constant world attention.Often, aid and foodhave been rushed to these countries tostave off the hunger crisis. But helpseems to be literally at hand, in theirown backyards, asia recent study of theNational Research)Council has revealed.

Native food plants have been amuch overlooked food resource in sub-Saharan Africa which could do wondersin tiding over the national food securitycrisis. Africa is reportedly a treasuretrove of more than 2,000 varieties ofgrains, roots, fruits *and other foodplants. The report details steps to cliswpel myths about the nutritional value,flavour and yield of these native grainsand also' to-increase their intake.Known to many Africans, these cerealscan feed not only Africa, but also theworld, considering the expected doubling of the human population in -thecoming century. African rice, finger millet sorghum, teff and fonio are some ofthe wonder grains growing here andcould soon gain more importance asprimary crop plants.