Fonio:
resilience in the face of the climate crisis
Fonio is a seed native to Sub-Saharan Africa that has been known for over 5,000 years. It is so imbued with myths and legends that it is known as the ‘Seed of the Universe’. Fonio is also a great source of B-group vitamins and essential and non-essential amino acids, which are difficult to obtain in other foods, as well as iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. According to the FAO, fonio is also the cereal with the highest amount of calcium, making it a fantastic addition to plant-based diets.
Although this system was more sustainable, colonizers—driven solely by profit—replaced it with vast monocultures. They viewed the indigenous method as primitive and disorganized, favoring rows upon rows of single crops that, while easier to harvest, required enormous amounts of water and fertilizers, ultimately depleting the soil. To further maximize profits, they also relied on slave labor, capturing and dehumanizing millions of Africans who were forcibly shipped to the Americas. Upon arrival, they were shaved to erase all traces of their culture and identity.
Despite all this, fonio is considered an ‘orphan’ or ‘lost’ crop, mainly due to two reasons. On the one hand, processing the grains is a really tedious process, making it a less productive crop. On the other hand, the colonial mentality prioritizes ‘mainstream’ Western crops, regarding fonio as a substandard cereal. Nonetheless, its extraordinary resilience could be one of the keys to adapting to a world threatened by the climate crisis, as well as a sustainable solution to generate employment and food in one of the world’s poorest regions.
