Compendium of forgotten foods in Africa: A companion publication for Integrating Africa’s forgotten foods for better nutrition

Reviewed by Tim Motis

If you are looking for information on underutilized or neglected crops, be aware of the Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization in March 2024. It features 100 food crops in Africa that are largely forgotten in terms of research and their role in African diets. This resource honors and raises awareness of Africa’s rich heritage of indigenous crops. Many of the crops have great potential for boosting nutrition, biodiversity, and soil health. 

Examples of crops that appear in the compendium are amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), baobab (Adansonia digitata), bitterleaf (Vernonia amygdalina), egusi melon (Citrullus colocynthis), and finger millet (Eleusine coracana). The compendium provides an attractive photo and nutritional information for each crop, along with a few other brief highlights. There is enough information to at least help you identify a crop and understand its uses and benefits. 

To learn more about such crops, refer to the Lost Crops of Africa series: 

• Volume I, Grains
• Volume II, Vegetables
• Volume III, Fruits

Many of the crops covered in these resources are found in other parts of the world. Learning about indigenous food plants and the traditional knowledge associated with them will help you gain valuable insights into local food preferences and culture.