Driving Demand for Underutilized Legumes

Driving Demand for Underutilized Legumes

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  Driving demand forthe utilization of underutilized legumes for health, nutrition and sustainable food systems in Africa 1 THE 36TH ACADEMIC LECTURE SERIES Presented by Dr. Florence Adetutu Udofia
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  OUTLINE 2
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  INTRODUCTION 3 ▪ Underutilized legumesare leguminous crops that have been known, grown, and used by local communities, but they have not received the same level of attention in mainstream research, markets, policy, processing, and consumption as major crops. ▪ The more urgent question is: If the evidence is already strong, why does Africa still face hunger, poor diet quality and rising diet-related diseases?
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  Africa’s irony: richlegumes, rising health burden 4 Projected hunger by 2030: 512M globally; ~60% in Africa Diabetes in Africa: 25M → 60M adults by 2050
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  The missing linkis demand 5 • People will not eat a food only because it is nutritious. • Demand means making underutilized legumes wanted • trusted • affordable • convenient • visible • health-linked
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  Five demand leversto add to the presentation • These levers turn nutrition evidence into repeated purchase, household use and policy support. ➢Product convenience: Ready-to-cook packs, flour, snacks, porridge mixes and blends. ➢Price and access: Local sourcing, fair margins and products that fit ordinary household budgets. ➢Taste and culture: Recipes that respect familiar meals while improving preparation methods. ➢Health credibility: Clear, evidence-based messages on protein, fibre, minerals and diet quality. ➢Institutional demand: Schools, hospitals, food programs, processors and public procurement 7
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  Evidence-based health promotioncan drive demand 8 Health promotion should answer: • Why is it good for my family? • How do I prepare it quickly? • How often can I use it? Translate science into behaviour change Audience Message Channel Mothers and caregivers Youth and students Food vendors Health workers Affordable protein Fibre-rich meals Diet diversity Healthy local foods Cooking demos School meals Clinics Media and social media Avoid vague claims. Use clear benefits, cooking guidance and trusted voices.
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  Move from Underutilizedlegumes to product to market 10 Research evidence Product innovation Quality assurance Market visibility Routine use Nutrients, bioactives, safety and functional properties Flours, snacks, beverages, meals and ready-to- cook formats Food safety, shelf life, standards and credible labelling Branding, distribution, public procurement and export readiness Affordable, trusted foods that families choose repeatedly This is where SUL can lead: connect researchers, processors, health educators, policy makers and consumers
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  Conclusion: the nextfrontier is demand • Underutilized legumes are not short of value. They are short of visibility, convenience, and sustained demand. • Researchers should package evidence into simple, useful messages. • Processors should develop attractive, safe and affordable products. • Health promoters should link legumes to everyday nutrition and disease prevention. • Policy makers should use procurement standards and incentives to grow markets. 11
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