This Drought-Resistant Grain Could Feed a Warmer World

Protein-packed, gluten-free and drought-resistant, fonio - a grain indigenous to West Africa - has long been seen as an ideal crop for populations afflicted by climate-induced hunger. But a lack of research and serious investment has kept it from taking off.
#cop27 #africa #food
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[@jimhenry6844]

Sorghum plants can practically grow on concrete upside down. The stalk is full of sugar juice ,the berries can be pounded into a staple flour,the the compressed stalks are then fed to cattle. One guy can harvest 2 acres per day with a machete. I designed a steam turbine power plant for Rawandan villages,that ran on Sorghum ethanol.

[@jyy9624]

Awesome

[@goiterlanternbase]

It would had run on methanol better and with less land usage🤣

[@jamesrob8552]

Thats awesome!

[@jimhenry6844]

@@goiterlanternbase What the hell? Have you ever been to a third world country? They live on subsistence farming,cattle, pigs,and chickens. They drink water from rivers,the women have carry 40 pounds in plastic containers on their heads for miles. The river water has giardia,criptosporidium, viruses and bacteria and the list goes on. Their infants have high mortality rates due to those conditions. You suggest using less land? Arable land is an asset. Where would they obtain methanol? The sorghum juice was distilled into ethanol like a moonshine still. The ethanol was a very efficient fuel.

[@richpt3646]

True, sorghum is great cash crops even here in Indonesia people start to cultivate more sorghum (white and red) to cater for market demand on healthy low glycemix index grain other than white rice

[@patriciarodriguesrentes1702]

Açaí is now known and consumed around the world as another "super food". When I first tasted it, in 1983, it was a traditional food in the Amazonian state of Pará, here in Brazil. From the poorest citizen to the Governor, everyone consumed açaí on a daily basis. It is extracted from the seeds of a beautiful palm tree, Euterpe oleracea. Only a thin outer layer is used. Despite all the local prestige, it was unknown in Brazil outside the Amazon and was on the way to extinction, due to massive cutting for the extraction and export of palm hearts. Well, açaí was saved by consumption in Rio de Janeiro, initially by bodybuilders. They have been the ones who publicized its benefits throughout Brazil and the world. Those who previously cut the palm trees started to cultivate them and today the production is no longer by extractivism, as in the 80's. There are already selected cultivars, more productive etc. Species saved. All this to say that it might be worth encouraging consumption around the world, even if it is initially expensive. With strong demand, everything happens faster. Good luck for the fonio!

[@halstaples2469]

First time I have heard of this grain. Moreover, the lady telling the story is a very important informer: Scale it up. Thank you very much.

[@insomnia0140]

In my country this is ancient grain staple food for the poor but the demand is low that's why the farmer didn't produce sorghum anymore since 1600

[@brightmal]

The processing of this crop could involve a lot of organic waste that would be great for an anaerobic digestion process, generating onsite power for the processing machinery and great fertiliser to further enrich the land. I'd love to set up an anaerobic digester at one of these processing facilities.

[@C2C.]

I wish Chef Binta and her colleagues a smooth path to great success, as they pioneer the mass production of fonio. I hope to see this expand for people living in the Sahel, for women's financial security, for our environment, and for African economic growth; I hope to be able to try it, as well.

[@johngraham8893]

Sounds like an ideal crop for Australian farmers to get into too

[@cultivatingwellness4028]

Finally! So glad to see ancient grains of West Africa here. You can purchase fonio in the States check out the brand Yolele foods, owned by Chef Pierre Thiam. The fonio is organic & grown by women in Senegal & Mali

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

I hope this works out well because its going to be agriculture that will be the biggest incentive to build the green wall to its specification, and if they can reach the goal in mind then they will push the desert back even farther for more agriculture gains.

[@irose4066]

I am from India from TAMILNADU. Here we divide as millets varieties. It was used as older days. Now we forget those millets. Now organic awareness bringing back those Millet varieties. Around 6 main millet varieties famously used now. But cost is very high as compare to rice like 3 to 4 times. In future those prices may come down in high production. Nice topic.. spread the awareness of drought tolerance crops for better future.

[@naveenvellalar9496]

நன்பா!!! கம்பு கேழ்வரகு தினை எல்லாமா அரிசி விட விலை குறைவு தானே?? எங்கள் வீட்டில் வாரத்தில் 3 நாளாவது கம்பும் கேழ்வரகும் உண்ணும் பழக்கத்தை சமீபத்தில் உருவாக்கிக் கொண்டோம்.

[@Anonymous-oq6zf]

when I saw the video title I also thought of millets, from Haryana. Millets were even found in Indus valley excavations. Government has declared 2023 to be international year of millets.

[@irose4066]

@@naveenvellalar9496 ella bro. Here in shop தினை 1kg is 140 and other millet prices between 140 to 180. Nanga pongal and sweet payasam seivom. But rice 1kg 50 only so 3 to 4 times of cost.

[@naveenvellalar9496]

@@irose4066 ok bro. Skip the costly things. Kambu is only 25rs something goes even lower like 15rs in seasons. Kelvaragu is used to be around 35rs. I dont knw thinai may used for regular food, but kambu and kelveragu can be used in every single time of food. Kambu and kelveragu are more nutritious than rice bro. I hope u already knw that.

[@irose4066]

@@naveenvellalar9496 In my home kambu and raagi use pannuvom. But oru change ku தினை kuthiraivaali சாமை use pannalam. But costly.

[@pikachu5647]

Millets were commonly used in India before wheat, now wheat flour is like ₹40/kg while millets generally are priced ₹130/kg, which is about 3 times as costly, when it comes to taste, wheat definitely wins, but in terms of nutrition millets are a clear winner, they have more micronutrients, no gluten, more fibres, easily digestible and have low glycaemic index (low blood sugar spike).

[@riarebolledo8782]

From the Philippines here, thank you for sharing this.

[@CitiesForTheFuture2030]

I've seen a few TED talks on fonio. A mill has been developed (by an African engineer) to process it - not sure how widespread it has been marketed.

[@JohnSmith-kw6io]

I've heard of this African designed mill. I too am dissapointed it hasn't seen more widespread adoption. From what I gather the main obstacle the design faces is that all the mechanized components are powered Flintstone-style by strapping people to the machine and having them run. If we could somehow figure out a design that utilizes internal combusion and electrical power the sky would be the limit

[@CitiesForTheFuture2030]

@@JohnSmith-kw6io Not all villages have access to electricity & petrol / gas cause fumes & indoor air pollution. Many villages that are far from grid infrastructure can get solar power "in a box" (shipping container with batteries). The idea is to reduce the time to mill the fonio to make it cost effective Vs paying some-one to mill it. Not only could fonio enhance food security in Africa itself, but also provide an income for African farmers.

[@GD-mw1kd]

Speaking of passing down knowledge... the video title or video cover could have included the name of the grain, fonio. How hard is to realise that?

[@AshleyG24601fan]

It might be clickbait designed to get people to check out the video for the answer. I agree with you, but unfortunately it seems to work.

[@GD-mw1kd]

@@AshleyG24601fan It really doesn't matter if someone is new to this grain type, clicking video anyway. If revealing the name of the grain, fonio, could lead to lesser views, that implies, the people who already familiar with fonio konw it as it is not a viable solution.

[@AntonsClass]

I love fonio. I have had a Jollof fonio, and it was delicious!

[@mysoneffa2417]

Needs to be cross bred with other millet to improve size, then back bred for hardiness.

[@mfaizsyahmi]

There needs to be more research into it. How to mechanize and scale up all levels of production. How to increase yields. Only then will it be able to compete with other grains.

[@paramesthinlifeforpeacelor6097]

It's about feeding themselves . Not everyone is thinking profit. Omg

[@ThePerimeters]

how to make it nutritionally 0. When you try to stretch a food beyond it's merits it becomes a health hazard. Let's learn from our diabetic mistakes.

[@ElectronFieldPulse]

@@paramesthinlifeforpeacelor6097 - Substinence farming is not a viable future. I hear a lot of Africans say this, "Give the land back to the people and let them farm it how they want!" Problem is, that leads to food insecurity and the West constantly having to donate to Africa so they don't starve. Whether you like it or not, you won't compete with modern farming with ancient substinance methods, so why promote it? That is like taking a step back in time. You need modern, industrial farming to reliably feed a nation. There is a reason Africa doesn't send aid to the US, but the US sends a ton of aid to Africa .

[@luisfelix7989]

Machines to plant, cultivate, and harvest are readily available....

[@victorhopper6774]

@@paramesthinlifeforpeacelor6097 are you willing to work 3 hours for each meal. a better way uplifts everyone.

[@ElectronFieldPulse]

Man, they are realllllly stretching the definition of "colonize". Even pursuing their own culinary interests is not decolonizing. Europeans weren't sailing to other countries tries to force their cuisine on everyone. Honestly, for Africa's own benefits, people there should not focus so much on their role as a victim.

[@darthvader5300]

A single sorghum plant can produce 3 pounds of grain. One sorghum variety in Mongolia being cultivated by Mongolian nomads in the 1950s was recorded to be able to produce 4.95 pounds of grain under the harsh hot desert like conditions of Mongolia which is alternatingly EXTREMELY COLD ALSO for Mongolia is a combination of extreme cold and extreme heat.

[@hitesh11111]

Super 👍👍✌️..every country should encourage local crops and ban Bayer

[@relative_vie]

Quinoa is the new bread. Hemp is the new plastic.

[@Miamcoline]

Very cool to learn about great potential thats readily available like this.

[@Ally-Oop]

I'd have preferred more analysis from the business angle than feelgood culture content. Some barebones googleing turned up a USAID article in March of this year about a project between the US and Mali. A grant for 1.98m to establish the US as the #1 market for the grain by reaching 2,400 metric tons of fonio annually within 2.5 years. Togo supplied the US with the majority of its fonio purchases in 2021 with around 173 tons imported into Illinois according to flexport's US Import data. According to Eurostat, France was the largest importer of fonio in the EU with 571 tonnes in 2021 (331 of which came from non-EU countries so 240 tonnes produced in-house) accounting for 59.5% of EU fonio imports, but only .4% of EU grain imports overall. It seems to me that that 700k production might be mainly consumed by western african nations rather than exported. I'd have preferred a Bloomberg analysis of that sort of info.

[@adriennefloreen]

I think Bloomberg should hire you.

[@emmahardesty4330]

Glad to see this grain is easily available in my US state--and hopefully my purchasing from small companies will benefit actual growers (not buying from a disinterested billionaire will help).

[@yo-me4tq]

I'm Italian-American I love to get this and try something I love cooking. Send it to Italy see what the Italians do with it it's in our nature to make it better. Our cuisine is one of the tops in the world. I love when humans think outside the box something that is right in front of us and where you neglect it. I hope this changed the world in this region to help feed the people. I believe it's a god-given right for people to eat and drink and breathe. God bless the people of Africa.

[@victorhopper6774]

no just no

[@amitavadutt621]

It is grown in India for a long time

[@judybray7514]

First time I've heard of this grain... I'd have liked the name spelled out earlier in the video... and I learnt more (while being distracted not knowing the name) by being persistent and watching till I saw the spelling, and on to the end. I'll look out for it and try it. Here's to the flourishing of this grain and it's nourishing our people.

[@bucketofbarnacles]

@bloomberg, perhaps a report on the Kansas-based Land Institute’s perennial wheat and rice varieties is in order.

[@isiomachime1861]

It's very tasty. You can also cook it with milk and sugar for new. Kind of like the way rolled oats are prepared.

[@somerandomfella]

How long before this crop is exploited?

[@paramesthinlifeforpeacelor6097]

Exactly.

[@goiterlanternbase]

This is "exploited" already🤣 It just tastes like wood, mixed with stones. People like corn and wheat for a reason😉

[@praveens2272]

Dr.Khadar Vali from India have been saying millets cultivation is the future. Rice, Wheat requires enormous amount of water. Millets can grow everywhere.

[@fistofdragony3213]

this looks insanly inefficient , also fonio doesn´t process modern fertilizers very well. the yield of kcal per acre of land is also 1/10 of wheat. i dont see this as an upgrade in any regard

[@jyy9624]

Water and temperature

[@ThePerimeters]

I spread the word years ago about Fonio benefits and how it could change nutrition in a water depraved world. It's not elegant nor glutenous therefore hard to exploit.

[@dougadams9419]

Star Trek. Quadrotriticale was a high-yield, perennial grain. It's real. Quadrotriticale is Real and Renewable The Canadian-grown crop Triticale, a combination of wheat and rye together, can grow in areas where there is little water and land nutrients.

[@beth8775]

As long as there aren't any tribbles

[@RoseNZieg]

local foods should be prioritized. the plants are made for local climates. I hope that people invest in processing machine for this grain.

[@anhope7951]

And you have to restrict non african grown fonio and its by products from entering the market

[@Srivatsachetan]

This looks more like foxtail millet ! I’m sure it’s in millets family and we in India already have it ..

[@BioHazardCL4]

It's not decolonisation to cook food from your home country in a new country where it isn't grown. That's just foreign food. My Chinese takeaway is doing as much decolonisation as this lady is.

[@ebenezeragbozo]

i know right. i'm from Ghana and when I hear 'decolonization of food', I wonder who is preventing them from eating what they want.

[@the-dronepilot]

Just beautiful!

[@derrickblagg1440]

You should make pizza crust with it and figure out a recipe that beats traditional wheat crust. A super food that can take hold in places like Italy where the home of pizza is and bring better health is a win win. That’s the one food everyone knows of world wide.

[@nadinesmith4397]

I wish that we continue to partially use traditional methods. The past 2 years should have reminded us that growing your own food is always better than imports.

[@buddhapiyao1315]

sorghum, millets are very hardy crops capable of growing in arid regions without much maintenance. I am from India and in the state of Karnataka , the northern Karnataka villages have always been drought ridden. but Sorghum and a few kinds of millets grew there with little effort. and the best part is that these can be harvested within 4 months from sowing. food shortage I personally believe is a myth. There is more than enough food to feed the world 3 times a day. It is our responsibility to reverse climate change. its straight politics to blame climate change for food shortage. every inch of available land can be used to grow some kind of produce. every window sill every balcony every backyard , frontyard every terrace every porch can be used to grow something edible. I have a kitchen and a living room window sill where I grow creepers like gourds and herbs. the space is just 4 ft x2.5x6 ft but I get enough vegetables for my use. some planters can be kept inside the house too for stuff that dont need too much sun. e.g mustard greens, spinach fenugreek greens can be grown with just a few hours of sunlight too.

[@Unfollowthem]

Before 1960's no one focused on Water intensive crops in India... Suddenly Green revolution came suppressed Draught crops... Imbalance happened... 1990 again we saw full of Chemical fertilizer, Chemical Pesticides... Today food, water is poisoned...

[@johnlshilling1446]

"A superfood reputation.." Yeah.., funny thing, that... Any food that has at least one nutritional component is advertised as a "Super Food!" --- "It's high in this! And it's high in that! Especially when compared to ______ (X)" I'm all for developing a market for these people, especially when there's little else, but "Super Food" designation is a purely marketing term. But all's fair in love, war, and business.., right?

[@redeunuch2989]

When i hear words " Food for African" . i'm excited.

[@tomkelly8827]

I love all the grains, though I am weary of the GMO types. This sounds like a really good crop for USA and Mexico to grow as well as other desert places too. Maybe Fonio will help the Colorado river reach the ocean once again while also feeding the people more nutritious diet? heat does provide straw and corn provides sielage, surely rice stalks are useful too. Can the rest of the fonio plan be used to feed animals or provide bedding for them?

[@shrachi91d]

Hope for future generations.

[@The12wisnu]

Noone want to eat some grain that hard to process and 8x more expensive than rice

[@akapilka]

No, thanks. I prefer quinoa if we're talking about drought tolerant crops.

[@richardhulit7884]

This really won't go very far because a 2,000-year cycle has turned, and Northern Africa has rebecome a food grow zone. Rainfall has increased so much that dry riverbeds are flowing again. The largest reserves of ground water are now in Northern Africa. Modern agriculture's best future gains with normal crops is now there.

[@kitony]

Nice docu. anyone here who can help with more information about fonio diversity or germplams!

[@alfiemiras6601]

Why replace if you can supplement?

[@SabzKhumalo]

Hmmm I would rather eat sorghum, ensete, and teff. Fonio is tasteless. But maybe I lack the cooking technique that west Africans use.

[@paramesthinlifeforpeacelor6097]

Fast for a week. It's for hunger not taste

[@getprobed838]

why do you have to remove the husk? rice can be eaten with or without the husk....quinoa is cooked in the husk and eaten that way...i love quinoa....many grains are eaten with or without the husk........maybe all the vitamins are in the husk...like most grains.....

[@xamanikia13]

Depending heavily on wheat and rice causes starvation and is a major risk to humanity. More power to non-traditional grains that our ancestors depended on just a century ago for food

[@victorhopper6774]

nonsense no other grain crop can compete with corn. nothing is even close. but you grow what can grow for you

[@oliverizzard8751]

I'm sure the green biscuits you'll make from it will taste just fine and the rich people who will invest in the monopoly that will own the land it will grow on will be fantastically happy with their investment.

[@nilnil8411]

It's still better and more efficient if certain drought resistant less water consuming varieties of wheat is developed. That would be more practical

[@kerrickpenny2938]

We chop this as wild bush in the Caribbean lol

[@OussaMeb]

Who dosn't love *Couscous* 😋

[@guyavery513]

Had it for the first time today, bought it on a whim at the store and loved it.

[@Bingqilinghenhao]

I don’t think it’s too bad but I prefer rice, pasta, or buckwheat.

[@goiterlanternbase]

Couscous is corn. This is bird-feed, just that birds prefer Amaranths over millet. Humans do that too😏

[@Bullet_Train]

Every man likes cous and cous again 🤪🤪

[@not.likely]

Why can't the husk be eaten, if the grain is so small. The husk can't be bad for you?

[@nilnil8411]

It's bitter

[@daviddavis7959]

can be used as animal feed additive high in protein

[@Nutricup]

There are many millets that will change the world food problem.. and also they are nutritive.. drought resistant too.. but we didn't gave them importance.

[@Edward4Plantagenet]

In India we have Millets, Sorghum, Barley, Kodo, Kutki and dozens of other Grains.

[@Thulgore]

I am not cool with people wanting to adapt to a warmer world, through pure selfishness........I cannot stand the heat. Nothing kills my drive to do anything like heat.

[@vongmanu4419]

Fonio gives only 366 kcal per square meter. Compare this to the potato with 1300 kcal per square meter and you see my point. Cultivating fonio only makes sense in areas that are too dry for other crops. And fonio still needs water sadly the video doesnt mention how much. A typical short video showing hope without giving the necessary facts.

[@lobster5782]

That's a very reductionist argument. Other factors come into play, such as fertilizer requirements, usual amount of pesticides for each crop, water requirements, costs of mechanisation for each, etc. The costs should be compared in a range of a few years, to compare inputs and outputs, as well as compatibility with other products, such as in a agroforestry system

[@vongmanu4419]

@@lobster5782 You are right. I just didnt have the patience to look all these facts up. But the reporters didnt either. But lets be honest, the potato one of the most easiest crops to farm with a high cal. count. The goal is to feed the population and not to cultivate a new niche hipster grain that takes land away from more useful crops.

[@JcoleMc]

@@vongmanu4419 Fonio such as millet and sorghum have been cultivated all over Africa for thousands of years . Empires we're built subsisting on this crop

[@victorhopper6774]

@@lobster5782 you are making his point.

[@victorhopper6774]

@@JcoleMc now is not then. people starving is no longer acceptable.

[@husseinduale1779]

Nice

[@sankethgowda5522]

I guess this is little millet

[@old_H]

kinda looks like the grass in my yard

[@bobbun9630]

It should. It's a close relative of Digitaria sanguinalis, more commonly known as crabgrass. Interestingly, crabgrass used to be grown as a grain as well. In Europe.

[@mrbobo86]

Because engineered food won't have unforeseen health consequences..... Right? Right???

[@darshita1270]

millets are the solution for the health and climate crisis we have rn. In India millets are being used again in many households. We cook little millet and foxtail millet in our home.

[@sannewgen]

What is the name fonio?

[@jaykent1836]

Amaranth, anyone? Sorghum great for grain and 'sugar'!

[@nasigorengpecelesteh1506]

Wjat is that little sprinkle???

[@Smokkedandslammed]

Funny how these current food systems have worked allllllll this time but now they dont and its all climate changes fault!! Klaus and his compatriots make very compelling stories.

[@justinjeffries1554]

Is fonio the indigenous name?

[@Alphoric]

It’s not a warmer world though places with drought have experienced drought for millennia

[@brendatenorio5721]

No Gates GMO's. Unnecessary.

[@blakespower]

in a warmer world wont Canada have even vaster areas with farmland? same with siberia

[@roe2012]

When there's so many superfood yet world choose non super food to grow and popular as world basis daily food

[@vthilton]

Share and Save the World

[@Agungsuprihatin]

It is look difficult to Harvest

[@Flavor190]

I hope this super doesn’t get patient and then stolen

[@adamcheklat7387]

4:07: Then why not put the matter to the African Union?

[@goiterlanternbase]

Because the like to eat corn and wheat, because they are humans, not mold. But even mold prefers any other starch source over millet.

[@adamcheklat7387]

@@goiterlanternbase True.

[@patrickmccoll2499]

Why not cover crops???

[@Atheistbatman]

Too late and too many other factors required for crops that will be changing soon My garden crops stopped producing last year after 2 nights warmer than the days…and did not start back No earthworms in 2 years no fly larvae in garbage cans all summer - horticulturist and I can see the comet is almost here

[@drivenforsuccess018]

Essentially manna

[@SuperSanic..]

hausa-fulani friendship

[@nivitoachumi2991]

Yes. Why should i cook something that is brought thousands of miles from my kitchen. WHY? Time to leave US and European foods and come back to own culture.

[@krimke881]

So now let's hope no one develop this grain, so it yelds more and all it's nutrients vanish. like todays most popular grains wheat and corn. Ancient grains are growing in demand, as people have found out that our modern grains makes them not feel so good. Rooting for the Fonio/Upma!! =)

[@refererererer]

Then GMO it to make the grains bigger.

[@BonsuBigWhale]

GMO is for you and your people to consue. There is little Afrika n demand for non organic produce.

[@peterbarrett5496]

Some places if the earth will be wetter when it's warmer, smith brain

[@ABC93224]

You will eat zhe bugs and weedz and be happy.

[@Goldenpill]

Patented by..?

[@millicentlopez3592]

*Fonio* - orphan crop

[@cvrajendra]

In India, fonio is called Upma. South Indians are the most healthy in all of India.

[@dougaldouglas8842]

Just the big boys seeking another way of making money, and what about side effects, are there any?

[@DJ-xs9ki]

@@dougaldouglas8842 huh?

[@arkscrew]

I thought upma was made of sooji which is semolina made of wheat? I have never eaten fonio upma.

[@maramnikhilreddy424]

I thought upma is made from wheat.

[@ramprasanth3500]

Upma is just the name of a dish. It's a millet just like solam, raagi,kambu etc...

[@ramachandramgorrepati5004]

Please name this grain

[@tobiasfentomen904]

how about we just, you know, fix climate change instead of sweeping it under the rug?

[@dougadams9419]

You can't fix climate change. It's a natural process that takes thousands or millions of years. The only way to affect the climate would be Global Nuclear Warfare which would be devastating to all forms of life and plants.

[@scottowensbyable]

@@dougadams9419 your logic and commen sense, has no power here.

[@jorgecarrillo2]

2:10 Decolonize Food... let them starve.

[@mattmccallum2007]

She wants to decolonize food except for that nice stainless pot or the natural gas stove. funny how that works out

[@kathri1006]

Grow more trees

[@deckape69]

With all the smart scientists we have why don't they just go and turn the crystals three degrees North and that was stabilized the Earth climate

[@peterklonowksi1436]

More CO2 in the atmosphere has already made many plants more drought resilient. Plant stomata don't need to open as much when there is more CO2 available and this means plants lose less water. Numerous studies around the World confirm this. Also, where is the climate induced hunger?

[@eatme8943]

Warmer world? Now you will taste the arid and desert, because middle east is getting greener.