NEWS:

10 Aug, 2015


Dr Moses Maliro in a quinoa field
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) is conducting research on an emerging crop called Quinoa. It is an Andean crop plant which originated in the area surrounding Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia. It was cultivated and used by pre-Columbian civilizations.

According to Dr Moses Maliro, an associate professor of plant breeding and genetics at LUANAR, the crop has the potential to help the country in mitigating food insecurity and climate change challenges.

“Preliminary results show that Quinoa is widely adapted hence offering an alternative crop for climate change adaptation.

“Quinoa can play an important role in eradicating hunger, malnutrition and poverty owing to its high nutritive value.” Said Maliro.

Food insecurity which is attributed to climate change remains one the major challenges facing Malawi hence the emergence of Quinoa gives hope.

Quinoa can be consumed raw, made into flour, added to soups, used as a cereal, made into pasta and even fermented to beer. The tender leaves up to the beginning of the panicle are consumed as a leafy vegetable. Today quinoa’s use has also been extended to the pharmaceutical and industrial areas.

Through the FAO funded collaborative research between Luanar and Michigan State University (MSU), Quinoa was first introduced into the country in May 2012 for evaluation under Malawi conditions. The research started at Bunda Campus in Lilongwe but has now spread to Dedza, Zomba and Blantyre districts.

Once the research is concluded, it is expected that the crop will significantly contribute to the country’s development through food and exports.

Written by: Daniso Mkweu and Patricia Ngwale