TRADITIONAL FOOD CROPS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA - POTENTIAL AND CONSTRAINTS

This article argues that, for many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, part of the solution to the problem of growing food imports lies in concentrating more effort and resources on the traditional food sector, particularly on what are described as the starchy staples, since many countries have a natural advantage in their production. After reviewing these advantages, the author draws on the limited volume of available data to outline the principal constraints to promotion of these foods, and focuses attention on the areas where government effort could fruitfully be orientated. © 1990.