Promoting underutilized food plant species for food security in Ethiopia: a research-based training programme.

摘要

Underutilized food plant species are indispensable for food and nutrition security and will have a greater potential for income generation and environmental services. Despite the availability of abundant food plants, food insecurity remains a persistent problem in Ethiopia. Evidently, drought and abnormal floods exacerbate the food insecurity situations but neglect of local knowledge is believed to be one of the root causes of food insecurity in the country where high quality food plant species are underutilized and mismanaged. Thus, Biodifood Association (BDFA) aims at enhancing food security and improved livelihood through research-based practical training on demonstration plots applying participatory method. Promoting the conservation and sustainable utilization of underutilized food plant species are among the components of strategies to maintain biodiversity and fight food insecurity in the country. The paper presents plans for community-based plant collection, adaptation, and utilization, as well as the practical training methods, short and long-term strategies, and the progress made in this program.