A woman displays different maize cobs at a Seed Savers Kenya event, highlighting African agricultural heritage.
More than 350 delegates from governments, research institutions and seed production companies gathered in Kenya this week to address challenges in getting good-quality seeds to African farmers. Experts say the lack of good seeds is hampering food production across the continent and contributing to the hunger crisis in many countries. According to U.N. agencies, more than 280 million people in Africa are food insecure, with over a billion unable to afford healthy diets. One of the problems is that quality seeds are inaccessible to many African farmers, leading to higher rates of crop failure. Solynta is a company that specializes in breeding hybrid potatoes, a cross between two inbred potato lines. The company’s product is an example of what advanced seeds can do for African farmers.
SOURCE: VOA