Steps to transform African opportunity crops into reality crops

Nature Communications 2026 Open access

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Authors: Pieter Rutsaert, Enoch G. Achigan‐Dako, Mathieu A. T. Ayenan, Jordan Chamberlin, Happy Daudi, Aristide Carlos Houdegbe, Stephen Kresovich, Agnes Mbugua Gitonga, Tamerlane Mark Nas, Chris O. Ojiewo, Julia Sibiya, Harish Gandhi
+14 more Vishnuvardhan Reddy Banda, Marème Niang, Javier Betran, Barbra Chisikaurayi, Chiedozie Egesi, Prakash Gangashetty, Dorcas Ibitoye, Hapson Mushoriwa, Dean Muungani, Joseph Onyeka, Roland Schafleitner, Dennis E. Tippe, Esnart Nyirenda Yohane, Kevin V. Pixley
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70990-3
Cited by: 3
References: 72

Abstract

Reliance on a few staple crops makes global agriculture vulnerable to climate shocks, biodiversity loss and nutrition gaps. The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), a global initiative to build resilient food systems, addresses this imbalance by modernizing market orientation, breeding, and capacity for opportunity crops such as amaranth, Bambara groundnut, finger millet, okra, pigeon pea, sesame, and taro. We advocate for a business unusual approach characterized by market guided prioritization and long-term breeding strategy, led by grassroots science networks. VACS applies lessons from major crop programs to translate potential into scalable impact.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Agricultural pest management studies Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
17
Issue
1
Publication date
24 March 2026
Language
EN