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Advice on Publications Available.Tony Rinaudo
An Australian agriculturalist with the Society for International Ministries
Niger, West Africa
[This information has been extracted from ECHO Development Notes 61: 1-5; Edited by:
Dr ML Price
17430 Durrance Road
North Fort Myers
Florida 33917-2239 USA
Telephone: 1 941 543 3246
Facsimile: 1 941 543 5317
Email: ECHO@echonet.org
Web site: http://www.echonet.org
The publication is free for anyone working in community development in the Third World; for others the subscription price is $US10 per year]
Few food crops are as well adapted as millet and sorghum to the harsh conditions found in southern, semi-arid Niger.
Even so, as rainfall continues to decrease and become less reliable, even these staples are not producing enough grain to meet the needs of the people.
To counter the unreliable production of these annual crops, we began a search for perennial plant species which produced edible, storable seed.
Perennials have the advantage of an established root system that can take up water from light or heavy rains and take advantage of out-of-season rains.
At least fifty species of edible acacia seed grow in the Australian semi-arid zones and although not domesticated, are used as traditional food by the Australian aborgines.
The CSIRO Division of Forestry and Forest Products, Canberra has established the Australian acacias which are safe to eat and has been comparing different provenances for useful characters.
These edible acacias have low levels of toxic and anti-nutritional factors but if used as a major food source, it is recommended that the flour comprise no more than 25% of any recipe.
In the semi-arid conditions of Niger, Acacia colei, Acacia tumida, Acacia elacantha and Acacia torulosa can produce a nutritious and tasty seed, which is high in protein, carbohydrates and fat. Seed of these species can be used in most local dishes as well as in European-style foods such as bread and biscuits.
Acacia seed is also a useful coffee substitute.
Wherever possible, one should try to improve yields of existing crops in an area such as Niger before trying to introduce exotic ones. Dietary habits are one of the last things that people want to change.
Unless a new food is easier to process, is tasty or is perceived as having some higher status, it is unlikely to be accepted.
Initially at least, acacias are being accepted in Niger because of the constant shadow of hunger as millet continues to fail to produce. Fortunately, acacias taste good and are versatile, as they can be used in nearly any traditional dish.
We have concentrated acacia plantings on wastelands where farming is not currently practised.
We aim not to replace traditional crops, but to increase biodiversity and thus food security.
Dr Chris Harwood, a collaborator with us from the CSIRO (PO Box E4008, Kingston ACT 2604; Telephone: 02 6281 8243; Facsimile: 02 6281 8266; Email: chris.harwood@ffp.csiro. au) has indicated that Acacia colei, Acacia elacantha and Acacia torulosa are adapted to tropical semi-arid climates with annual rainfalls of 350 - 800 mm.
Unfortunately, they are likely to become diseased or even develop as weeds in wetter tropical climates, such as Sabah, Malaysia or parts of India.
Other Acacia species have developed as weeds in Australia.
The traditional knowledge of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia has been freely shared with various researchers over the years. Without their knowledge and willingness to share it, there would almost certainly be no testing going on with acacias for human food today.
I am indebted to Dr. Chris Harwood and Dr. Lex Thomson of the CSIRO, and Dr. Steve Adewusi of Obafemi Awolo University, Nigeria who have encouraged this work.
For further information, contact Dr Chris Harwood at the CSIRO.
For seed supplies, do not contact ECHO but:
Australian Tree Seed Centre
PO Box 4008
Queen Victoria Terrace
Canberra, ACT 2600
Telephone: 02 6281 8211
Facsimile: 02 6281 8266
Email: atsc@ffp.csiro.au
Web site: www.ffp.csiro.au/tigr/atscmain/index.htm
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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