Agrobiodiversity strategies to combat food insecurity and HIV/AIDS impact in rural Africa

On the basis of participatory field research conducted in different rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, this paper demonstrates that agrobiodiversity and the associated indigenous knowledge are relevant forces to combat food insecurity and the HIV/AIDS crisis. In particular, this paper proposes and examines the following strategic components:traditional, neglected and under-utilised cropsagricultural diversificationhome gardenswild food plantsmedicinal plantscommunity seed systemslivestock and agropastoral systemsThe paper argues that the mobilisation and development of these agrobiodiversity components (some of which are currently suffering neglect, exacerbated by HIV/AIDS) would expand the options, opportunities and means available at the rural grassroots level to improve nutrition, cope with labour constrains, safeguard the household economic security, and enhance sustainable agriculture.The paper calls for agricultural policy and programme responses towards the mobilisation and development of the greatest agricultural assets of rural communities in Africa: agrobiodiversity and indigenous knowledge. The proposed strategies challenge the entire agricultural development sector: from crop research programmes to agriculture and food policies, and from rural development projects to agricultural extension services. They also renovate the action horizon of rural grassroots initiatives, such as farmer field schools, nutrition projects, local HIV/AIDS committees, and women's associations. Although biodiversity and indigenous knowledge alone are insufficient to eradicate food insecurity and the HIV/AIDS impact, they constitute a privileged basis to empower rural communities to confront their most pressing needs in nutrition, healthcare, and for sustainable livelihoods.