ICCCSDA 2017 Special Issue: Environment, Technology and Sustainable Development Vol 1, 68-77, 2018 JENRM Sustainable food production in Nigeria: a case study for Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae) M. C. Ogwu1,2∗ C. M. Ahana1 M. E Osawaru1 Abstract Access to sufficient food for an active and healthy life defines food security, which is a critical factor for economic growth and development. Food insecurity ranks among developmental challenges. Sustainability is the ability of a process or activity to meet present needs without much alteration of the natural resources involved in order for future generations to benefit. It involves the development and proper management of resources without wastage and threat to the environment. Agriculture is strategic to the Nigerian economy especially in light of dwindling fortunes from crude oil, hence a real and potential contributor to wealth creation and poverty alleviation. Humans depend on less than thirty crops for food production from a sufficiently diverse pool of plant genetic resources. With increasing world population, we need to look beyond the limited crop list on which we depend. Bambara groundnut is an indigenous orphan, underutilised, under-researched crop, cultivated throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with high potentials. It is drought resistant and highly nutritional. Vigna subterranea can be grown without fertilisers, which are costly and often difficult to access. The seed makes a complete food, as it contains sufficient quantities of essential nutrients and minerals and it may be consumed in diverse ways. The crop has a reputation for resisting pests and diseases. Bambara groundnut is a promising commodity, which needs publicity. However, to ensure its wider adoption, the crop may need some improvement. Sustainable management and modern processing methods would also ensure distribution to non-producing areas. Keywords Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), Food security, Food production, Sustainability, Plant resources 1Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria 2School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul-08826, 1 Gwanak, Gwanak ro, Gwanak gu, Seoul, Korea Rep Email: [email protected] *Corresponding author M. C. Ogwu. Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Contents 1. Introduction 1 Introduction 68 Food security is the access by all and at all times to 2 Nigeria and Food Insecurity 69 enough food for an active and healthy life [1]. Food secu- rity exists when physical and economic access to sufficient, 3 Status of Agriculture and Sustainable Food Production safe and nutritious food is available to meet the dietary in Nigeria 70 needs and preference for promoting active and healthy 4 Bambara Groundnut and Potential for Sustainable Food lifestyles [2]. The concept of food problem is complex and Production 73 goes beyond the simplistic idea of a country’s inability to 4.1 Origin and Geographic Distribution............ 73 feed its population [1]. Food insecurity is a global chal- 4.2 Botany.............................. 73 lenge and may lead to a catastrophe if it is not possible to 4.3 Cultivation............................ 74 increase food supply at a rate faster than that at which 4.4 Uses................................ 74 the world population increases [3]. Four global threats that has significant implications for the food security of 4.5 Nutrient Value......................... 74 any nation include; population explosions, global warm- 4.6 Production........................... 76 ing, loss of biodiversity and the threat of poverty and 4.7 Potential of Bambara Groundnut............. 76 globalisation of injustice [4]. It is in view of the foregoing 4.8 Challenges Associated with Bambara Groundnut Utilization that the attainment of food security is imperative and all 76 developed and developing countries are making consid- 4.9 Recommendations and Conclusion............. 77 erable efforts to increase their food production capacity. References 77 This review paper seeks to highlights the need for sus- tainable food production using a vastly available resource in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc., Sustainable food production in Nigeria: a case study for Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae) — 69/78 Fabaceae). Food security is a critical factor for the economic growth and development of a nation and in recent times, many resources are now been channeled towards programmes aimed at eradicating food insecurity and poverty by var- ious international organizations and government espe- cially in developing nations [5; 6]. To address how V. subterranean can contribute to attaining food security, economic growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa, this review uses Nigeria as a case study by focusing on its location and geography, population, available plant resources, and food insecurity challenges, which is typical of the region. Subsequent sections will address the roles of sustainable agriculture and food production systems to stimulate economic growth through efficient supply systems, making raw materials available and promoting Figure 1. Map of Nigeria showing population density foreign exchange earnings. The section will also highlight (Source: FAO [8]) factors militating agricultural sector while the next sec- tion will focus on the impact of sustainable production of V. subterranea to the economy and agriculture. sub-humid region with Highland, and a semi-arid region, with annual rainfall ranging from about 250 mm in the 2. Nigeria and Food Insecurity Sahelian north to over 3,000 mm in the southern coastal areas. The natural vegetation varies from rain forest to sa- Nigeria lies roughly between longitudes 3o and 14o East vanna. There are nine distinct ecological zones which, due of the Greenwich meridian and latitudes 4o and 14o North to similarity of characteristics, can be streamlined into of the Equator, sharing a common boundary with the five, namely (i) Sahel/Sudan savanna, (ii) Guinea savanna, Republic of Benin to the West, Chad and Cameroun (iii) Derived savanna, (iv) Lowland rainforest/montane to the East and the Niger Republic to the North. The forest and (v) Freshwater swamp forest/mangrove forest Atlantic Ocean with a 960 Km coastline borders the south. and coastal vegetation (Fig. 2) [9]. The inherent diversity It covers a land mass of approximately 923,768 Km2 and endowments support the growth of a wide variety representing about 14% of land area in West Africa. The of crops. The Southern coastline is indented by lagoons, Federal Ministry of Environment of Nigeria [7] estimate and by the Niger-Delta wetland. The River Niger with of irrigated land is 9,570 Km2 and arable land about 35%; its tributary, the Benue, form a large ‘y’ across Nigeria 15% pasture; 10% forest reserve; 10% for settlements providing a potential source of irrigation. The geological and the remaining 30% considered uncultivable for one characteristics of the country comprise a large number reason or the other. The mean annual rainfall range from of base rocks of diverse origins, from plinths to sedimen- about 450 mm in the north-east to about 3500 mm in the tary rocks. The landscape associated with these “older” coastal Southeast, with rainfalls within 90 to 290 days [4]. granites is mainly narrow and deep valleys and pediments Floristically, Nigeria is rich with vegetation that supplies (surfaces made smooth by erosion) from the middle of food, fodder, timber, fuelwood, medicines, essential oils which rose rounded hills with sheer rock faces. There are spices, gum and exudates. These resources are suitable also numerous volcanoes and vast basaltic plateaus from and capable to meet the food needs. However, Nigeria lava flow, due to volcanic activity of the past in the south, population is growing at an alarming rate. In 1963, the a typical mangrove type sedimentation has superimposed population was 55,671,000 in 2005 it was put at over itself on the Niger Delta giving it its swampy outlook [9]. 140 million. Nigeria’s population was 164 million in 2011 In Nigeria, food insecurity ranks topmost among de- representing 20% of the entire African population (Fig. velopment problems and it continues to rise steadily since 1) but is currently over 180 million and remains the most the 1980s. It rose from about 18% in 1986 to about 41% populous African nation with an estimated growth rate in 2004 [10]. Maziya-Dixton et al. [11] reported that over of about 3.2% per year [7]. The associated growth and 40% of households across all agro-ecological zones in Nige- development continues to exert competing demands on ria face problems associated with severe food insecurity. land for schools, house, roads hospitals, industries, offices Similarly, Idachaba [12] reported that many households and agriculture. and individuals in Nigeria merely eat for survival. This Nigeria is physically and climatically diverse with sub- implies that there is little to no consideration given to the stantial natural resources endowments. It encompasses nutritional component of meals regardless of high agri- three major ecological regions, a humid forest region, a cultural potential and income status. Nigeria has about Sustainable food production in Nigeria: a case study for Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae) — 70/78 also maintain natural resources and leave the environ- ment in good order for future generations [16]. It involves