The Potential for Utilizing the Seed Crop Amaranth (Amaranthusspp.) in East Africa as an Alternative Crop to Support Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

AbstractThe projected growth in global food demand has resulted in increased attention towards underutilized crops with the potential to improve global food security and ability to mitigate adverse effects of climate changes. Changing consumer demands in favour of more nutritiously balanced and organically grown crops have added to the interest in species such as amaranth. Promoting the consumption and cultivation of amaranth could be valuable due to its unique nutrient composition and inherent tolerance of drought and other stress factors. Due to current and predicted effects of climate changes, these attributes are becoming increasingly important. Amaranth is a source of high quality protein, as well as dietary fibre and lipids rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The seeds contain desirable levels of minerals, vitamins for human diets, in addition to other bioactive components such as phytosterols, squalene, fagopyritols, saponins and polyphenols. Amaranth is currently in demand by specific consumer groups, such as high‐performance athletes, malnourished children, and people suffering from diabetes and coeliac disease. Even so, there are few detailed analyses available concerning the potential for using amaranth to improve and support agricultural productivity in developing countries. The present review has assessed the promotion and improvement of amaranth production in East Africa to hold subtstantial potential for benefitting small‐holder farmers in Africa, by providing a stable source of income and food for subsistence farmers, while also mitigating the impact of climate change through the prospect of supporting the establishment of food and nutritional security.