Orphan Crops

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Recently, experts have cited the importance of Indigenous Crops in Surviving the Climate Change.

What are Orphan Crops?

Orphan crops are those that aren’t traded internationally.
They tend to get less attention in terms of research of agricultural training and extension.
- Because they get less research attention, the breeding technology for orphan crops is lagging way behind modern technology.
- This means that the seeds farmers’ plant is less likely to be resilient to drought, flooding, or extreme temperatures; lower in productivity; and more vulnerable to pests and disease.
They’re typically grown in Africa, Asia, and/or South America and eaten as part of local diets.

Examples

Millet:
- Produced heavily in India, Nigeria, Niger, and Mali.
- Millet is a small-seeded grass.
- There are a number of millet varieties, and they tend to be high in magnesium (which helps maintain muscle and nerve function) and are a good source of antioxidants.
Cowpea:
- It is known as “black-eyed peas.”
- It’s produced mostly in Nigeria and Niger and is rich in amino acids compared to other grains.
Pigeonpea:
- Pigeonpea is a legume with top production in India, Myanmar (Burma), Malawi, and Uganda.
- It’s high in protein and fiber, and it’s great for intercropping, or growing alongside other plants.
- It has a deep root system, so it doesn’t compete for resources with other plants, and it actually improves its soil by adding more nitrogen.

Significance of Orphan Crops

Orphan crops are incredibly important in the countries where they’re grown.
They provide income for the poorest farmers and serve as staples in the local diet.
Though lagging breeding technology has hurt their resilience, especially to pests and disease, they are uniquely adapted to the environment in which they are grown.

Source: SD

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