Developments

Building on earlier participatory processes, Enabling Rural Innovation empowers communities to set priorities and make best use of their resources, enabling community members to make the transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

With a flavour described as both nutty and tangy safou, or African plum, is widely eaten in Central Africa, but little known outside the region. Now, cultivar selection and increasing professionalisation of the safou sector in Cameroon is transforming the marketing and trade of this indigenous African tree crop.

In South Africa and Kenya, export of livestock and livestock products by small-scale livestock farmers and pastoralists is being supported through the introduction of computer-based traceability systems. In Kenya, the same technology may also help to prevent cattle rustling.

Bamboo, one of the fastest growing, strongest and most versatile plants on Earth, supports an annual, global trade worth US$2 billion. Much of this is earned by Asian countries, but researchers in Africa are also working to enhance and expand usage of this 'wonder plant'.