FSPN Africa Champions Underutilized Indigenous Foods and Innovations at the Joint Mkulima Open Week Exhibition
The Joint Mkulima Open Week Exhibition was a vibrant showcase of groundbreaking ideas, agri-tech innovations, and sustainable food solutions. Held under the theme "Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiative for Sustainable Growth," at KALRO NARL, Kabete Nairobi, the event brought together farmers, innovators, policymakers, and agribusiness stakeholders. Among the standout exhibitors was FSPN Africa, highlighting the incredible potential of novel and underutilized indigenous foods in transforming food systems across the continent.
Scaling Innovations in Indigenous Foods for a Sustainable Future
At the heart of FSPN Africa’s exhibit was a powerful message: indigenous foods are the future of nutrition and food security. The team passionately demonstrated how scaling innovations in underutilized crops can not only boost local economies but also ensure climate resilience. With erratic weather patterns threatening conventional farming, investing in indigenous crops—naturally adapted to local conditions—emerges as a sustainable solution.
“We must rethink agriculture and focus on crops that have sustained communities for generations,” said Anne Macharia, Programs Assistant at FSPN Africa. “These foods are not just nutritious but also climate-smart, making them vital in ensuring a food-secure Africa.”
Attendees got a first-hand look at a variety of nutrient-rich indigenous foods, from drought-resistant grains like sorghum and millet to high-protein traditional legumes. The conversation revolved around how these foods can be elevated from subsistence farming to commercial ventures, benefiting both smallholder farmers and the broader market.
HealthyDiets4Africa: Investing in Nutrition and Well-being
FSPN Africa’s participation was part of the HealthyDiets4Africa initiative, a European Union-funded project driving awareness of sustainable nutrition. Through this initiative, youths and women agri-innovators are finding opportunities to develop business models around indigenous foods, linking them to value addition and market access.
One of the biggest takeaways from the exhibition was the role of food diversity in tackling malnutrition. Visitors learned how traditional crops are often richer in essential nutrients than many modern commercial staples. The initiative is not just about growing food but also about educating consumers, supporting local farmers, and promoting healthy diets.
KALRO Living Lab
KALRO NARL, Kabete has been playing a key role as our key partner in the HealthyDiets4Africa project as our Living Lab. FSPN Africa has been working closely with a team of experts namely Esther Muriuki, a Food Security Policy and Management expert, Fabian Kaburu, an Agricultural engineer specialist in Soil and water engineering, Francis Karanja, a Civil engineer specialist in water engineer and Gladys Chelangat- Soil and water engineer from the institution.
They have been pivotal and supportive to prepare our farm section where we showcased different underutilized indigenous vegetables to consumers and agri-innovators. They made sure best seed quality are planted, the soil was in good condition and the irrigation water systems are running and supplying water to the crops all the time. Thanks to them.
This section was among the key knowledge hubs and attracted huge traffic who were eager to learn about the indigenous vegetables, especially the jute mallow (mrenda), the production and best indigenous recipes.
Our team in collaboration with KALRO took the chance to educate different factors of production that included seed selection, importance of soil testing and understanding soil quality, food safety concerns at farm level and at the table, different recipes they needed to adopt to get better tastes and nutritional outcomes.
We must rethink agriculture and focus on crops that have sustained communities for generations.
~Anne Macharia.
Empowering Youths and Women Agri-Innovators
A key highlight was the interaction with Agri-Business Accelerator Program participants, a platform supporting young entrepreneurs and women in agribusiness. Many showcased their innovative products, from nutrient-packed indigenous food snacks to eco-friendly processing techniques that extend the shelf life of perishable produce.
“Scaling innovations in agriculture means providing opportunities for young people to transform their ideas into sustainable businesses,” said one of the youth agripreneurs. “This exhibition gives us a platform to connect with investors and policy leaders who can support our growth.”
The event reinforced the fact that when youth and women are actively engaged in agriculture, they not only create employment but also drive innovation and economic resilience in rural areas.
Lessons from the Exhibition: A Call to Action
The exhibition was not just about showcasing products—it was about sparking action. Key lessons emerged:
- Indigenous foods must be prioritized in food security strategies. With climate change affecting food production, these crops offer a viable and sustainable alternative.
- Agri-innovation is essential in value addition and scaling food businesses. From processing techniques to smart packaging, innovation can boost indigenous food markets.
- Investing in youth and women entrepreneurs transforms agriculture into a profitable and attractive sector. Their ideas and energy are crucial in shaping the future of African agribusiness.
- Collaboration between policymakers, investors, and farmers is key to sustainable agriculture. Strengthening networks will ensure long-term impact and scalability of innovations.
As the event wrapped up, one thing was clear—FSPN Africa and its partners are leading a movement to transform food systems across the continent. By scaling innovations, embracing novel indigenous foods, and supporting youths and women agri-innovators, the future of Africa’s agriculture looks promising.
Join the Movement!
The conversation doesn’t end here! FSPN Africa invites more stakeholders to engage, collaborate, and invest in climate-smart agriculture and nutrition-focused innovations. Whether you’re a farmer, entrepreneur, researcher, or policymaker, there’s a role for everyone in shaping a sustainable and food-secure Africa. Much gratitude to KALRO NARL for organizing search an important event and inviting us to share our work.
Stay connected with FSPN Africa for more updates on HealthyDiets4Africa and upcoming events that continue to push the boundaries of sustainable farming and agri-innovation.