Consumption of Orphan Crops

Consumption of Orphan Crops for Healthier Crops and Diets (CROPS4HD) – Phase II

PROJECT TYPE: ONGOING

Project Duration: 2026–2029

Funding Partner: Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)

Strategic Partner: SWISSAID

Geographical Coverage: National Coverage – Tanzania

Consortium Countries: Tanzania, Chad, Niger, and India

Background

Africa’s food systems are increasingly challenged by climate change, biodiversity loss, changing consumption patterns, and overreliance on a limited number of staple crops. While thousands of indigenous crops have historically sustained communities and provided nutritious diets, many of these species have been neglected in agricultural research, policy, and investment. As a result, dietary diversity has declined, contributing to malnutrition, loss of traditional knowledge, and increased vulnerability to climate shocks.

Orphan crops—also known as indigenous, traditional, or underutilized crops—offer enormous potential for building resilient food systems. These crops are often highly nutritious, adapted to local conditions, and capable of thriving under harsh climates with minimal external inputs. Yet, despite their importance, they remain largely absent from mainstream agricultural development and food policies.

Recognizing the urgent need to diversify food systems and strengthen food sovereignty, the Consumption of Orphan Crops for Healthier Crops and Diets (CROPS4HD) – Phase II project seeks to elevate the role of orphan crops in improving nutrition, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience.

Project Overview

Supported by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), CROPS4HD Phase II is a four-year initiative dedicated to promoting the production, consumption, and policy recognition of orphan crops in Tanzania. The project aims to reconnect communities with nutritious indigenous foods while strengthening farmer-managed seed systems and promoting agroecological approaches to food and farming.

Building upon previous achievements, the initiative recognizes that food system transformation requires addressing not only agricultural production but also food cultures, dietary habits, seed sovereignty, and enabling policies. Through community engagement, awareness creation, advocacy, and knowledge sharing, the project seeks to ensure that indigenous crops regain their rightful place within farming systems and household diets.

In Tanzania, the project is implemented in close collaboration with SWISSAID and forms part of a broader international consortium involving partners from Chad, Niger, and India. This collaboration creates opportunities for cross-country learning, exchange of experiences, joint advocacy, and South-South cooperation on the promotion of orphan crops and resilient food systems.

Through this international partnership, the project contributes to a growing global movement that recognizes crop diversity as fundamental to addressing malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.

Goal

To promote the production, consumption, and recognition of orphan crops as pathways to healthier diets, food sovereignty, climate resilience, and sustainable food systems in Tanzania.

Specific Objectives

Increase awareness of the nutritional, ecological, and cultural importance of orphan crops.
Promote the cultivation and utilization of indigenous and traditional crops among farming communities.
Enhance dietary diversity and nutrition among vulnerable populations.
Strengthen farmer-managed seed systems and conserve agricultural biodiversity.
Document and preserve traditional knowledge associated with indigenous crops and food cultures.
Promote agroecological approaches that support resilient and sustainable food systems.
Influence policies and development programs to recognize and support orphan crops.
Strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange among partners in Tanzania, Chad, Niger, and India.

Key Focus Areas

The project focuses on:

Indigenous and orphan crops.
Nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
Agroecology and sustainable food systems.
Farmer-managed seed systems and seed sovereignty.
Agricultural biodiversity conservation.
Traditional knowledge and food cultures.
Community awareness and behavior change.
Policy advocacy and food sovereignty.
South-South learning and international collaboration.

Key Activities

Major interventions under the project include:

Raising awareness on the nutritional and ecological benefits of orphan crops.
Supporting farmers to conserve and cultivate indigenous crop varieties.
Strengthening community seed systems and seed exchange initiatives.
Organizing food fairs, seed fairs, and community learning events.
Documenting indigenous knowledge and traditional food practices.
Facilitating farmer-to-farmer exchanges and cross-country learning among consortium partners.
Producing communication materials and knowledge products.
Engaging policymakers and stakeholders to promote enabling policies and investments.
Supporting advocacy initiatives aimed at integrating orphan crops into national food and nutrition strategies.
Promoting youth and women’s participation in biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems.

Strategic Partnerships

The success of CROPS4HD Phase II is built on strong partnerships and collaborative action. In Tanzania, implementation is undertaken in close collaboration with SWISSAID, leveraging shared commitments to food sovereignty, agroecology, and biodiversity conservation.

The project also benefits from collaboration with consortium partners in Chad, Niger, and India, fostering South-South cooperation and enabling the exchange of experiences and innovations across different agroecological and cultural contexts. These partnerships strengthen collective advocacy efforts and contribute to building evidence and visibility for orphan crops at national, regional, and international levels.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the project, it is expected that:

More farming households will cultivate and consume diverse indigenous crops.
Dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes among vulnerable communities will improve.
Farmer-managed seed systems and agrobiodiversity conservation efforts will be strengthened.
Traditional knowledge related to orphan crops will be documented and preserved.
Communities will have greater awareness of the value of indigenous foods.
Policies and development programs will increasingly recognize the contribution of orphan crops to food and nutrition security.
Stronger networks and partnerships will emerge among stakeholders working on sustainable food systems.
Lessons and experiences from Tanzania and consortium countries will contribute to global discussions on food sovereignty and agricultural biodiversity.

Long-Term Impact

CROPS4HD Phase II envisions a future where indigenous and orphan crops are no longer neglected but are recognized as strategic assets for achieving healthy diets, resilient livelihoods, and sustainable food systems.

By revitalizing traditional crops and food cultures, strengthening farmer-managed seed systems, and promoting agroecological approaches, the project contributes to food sovereignty, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and improved nutrition. Through collaboration with partners in Tanzania, Chad, Niger, and India, the initiative also strengthens South-South cooperation and demonstrates the power of collective action in transforming food systems for people and the planet.

Ultimately, the project seeks to ensure that crop diversity, cultural heritage, and local knowledge remain at the heart of Africa’s pathway toward resilient and equitable food systems.