Orphan crops are also known as underutilized-, lost- or disadvantaged-crops. Most of these understudied crops are staple food and play key role in the economy of developing world due to their suitability to the agro-ecology and socio-economic conditions. Some of the most important orphan crops belong to cereals [e.g., finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and tef (Eragrostis tef)], legumes [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), and bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)], root crops [cassava (Manihot esculenta), and yam (Dioscorea sp.)], fruit crops [banana and plantain (Musa spp. L)], and many vegetables. These crops grow better than major crops such as maize and wheat under extreme environmental conditions. However, due to lack of genetic improvement, these crops produce inferior yield in terms of both quality and quantity. The major bottlenecks affecting the productivity of orphan crops are genetic traits such as low yield (for example, in finger millet and tef), poor in nutrition [cassava and enset (Ensete ventricosum)], and production of toxic substances [cassava and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus)]. In order to boost food production in Africa emphasis should be given, not only to the major crops but also, to the orphan crops.
ATDF (African Technology Development Forum) Journal has dedicated its special issue to the Orphan Crops of Africa. All articles in the issue are available at this link.
