Drought, heat wave, heat wave, agriculture suffers from climate change. These five plants are resisting the increasingly hot climate and could be the solution for food in the future.

Episodes of drought and heat wave have been linked not only in France, but also in the world since the beginning of the summer. These heat waves undermine agriculture causing price increases and shortages. While three crops feed almost half the planet - wheat, rice and maize - many other crops have therefore been abandoned. To overcome this lack, some farmers around the world rediscover and exploit forgotten plants or create hybrids much more resistant to drought and high temperatures.

Five plants that can feed the planet

As pointed out The Guardian , these five plants can be the future of our plates, because they are more resistant and have many benefits nutritional.

amaranth

This plant is completely edible: its leaves are eaten pan-fried and its red, orange and green seeds are roasted and eaten with honey and milk. Long eaten like a vegetable in Asia and Africa, she was grown as a cereal by Native Americans . This complete protein is a good source of amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Guatemala, Mexico and the United States are collaborating to cultivate it. It has not yet arrived in kitchens in Europe.

fonio

This cereal reminiscent of semolina or quinoa with a nutty taste and it has been cultivated in West Africa for centuries. thousands of years . It is drought resistant and can be grown in poor soils. With his low glycemic index , it is a good alternative for diabetics. It is also gluten-free, so perfect for those intolerant. It was introduced in the European Union in 2018.

the crow

Also called cowpea, black-eyed cowpea or vache pois , this plant was originally grown to feed livestock in the United States. But long before, its production was used for human consumption in West Africa . Completely edible, as much its leaves, its seeds, as its pods, it represents a good source of protein and an alternative for pinto or black beans. Like fonio or amaranth, it resists drought very well.

The bread

This tropical root vegetable is widely consumed in Southeast Asia and Polynesia. Due to rising temperatures, its cultivation in its natural environment is threatened. American researchers are therefore trying to transformer , so that it becomes a temperate annual, thus allowing it to withstand the cold of winters in the United States.

The kernza

This cereal was identified by American researchers in the 1980s as a kind of wheat , but unlike him, the kernza is grown all year round. Its cultivation began in the United States in 2019 although research is still underway on the plant.

Source journaldesfemmes.fr