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Keywords

quinoa, Malawi, plant breeding, genetics

Abstract

Protein deficiency is common amongst subsistence farmers in much of the developing world. It has been estimated, for example, that over one third of residents of rural Malawi are protein deficient. Adding to this problem in Malawi is the fact that there is only one brief rainy season, during which all crops are grown. Other countries with as dry a climate in the region have low population density, which allows them to reap more from their annual maize harvest. Meanwhile, countries in the region with similarly high population density as Malawi are able to grow higher value crops because of a more favorable climate.

Because of these challenges, Malawi is at a unique disadvantage when it comes to food security, and it is imperative that new crops be introduced to diversify the diets and rotations of subsistence farms. The UN has encouraged the diversification of agricultural systems worldwide to combat malnutrition. Quinoa is a promising crop that could be grown during the otherwise unproductive dry season of Malawi and help improve rural livelihoods.

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2020-04-06

Language

English

College

Life Sciences

Department

Plant and Wildlife Sciences

University Standing at Time of Publication

Senior

Introduction and Evaluation of 10 Hybrid Quinoa x Pitseed Goosefoot Lines in Central Malawi

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Life Sciences Commons

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