Will Quinoa survive climate change?
- South America is the global producer of Quinoa grain which is a staple food in Andes. This crop can contribute to food & nutrition security yet was still not grown in other parts of the world.
- U.N.Secretary-General at the launch of the ‘International Year of Quinoa’ said it was “poised for global recognition”, & Food & Agriculture Organisation of UN (FAO) emphasizes that quinoa could play a major role in global malnutrition.
- Its nutritional profile is comparable to Teff, a grass crop, mainly grown in Ethiopia but also has wider potential. Like Teff, Quinoa is also improving as its flexibility to grow in different climates.
- Quino is the only crop grown in Bolvia which is located above sea level that’s why it has prospective in many parts of the world.
- Washington State University & Natural Resources (Luanar), Malawi-based NGO is evaluating how Quinoa varity performs under irrigated & rain-fed conditions & assessing problems related to pests & diseases.
- Due to lack of awareness People don’t eat this crop. The high prices are making it difficult for the locals to buy & consumption has are dropped in the Andean as farmers export their crops.
- Its an easy crop to grow & we have variety of cultivation practices as we had in Indus Valley, the world’s oldest center of cultivation.
- University of Agriculture introduced Quino as it has high nutritional value to Pakistan who have high rates of malnutrition according to FAO.
Exams Perspective:
- Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
- Food Security