New book on crop production in tropical Africa

Belgian State Secretary for Development Cooperation Eddy Boutmans this week unveiled in Brussels "Crop Production in Tropical Africa", a new reference book of 1,634 pages dedicated to crop production in tropical Africa. A team of 75 national and international agronomists participated in the project, contributing their knowledge about food and industrial crop production in tropical Africa. The first part of the book is about food, beverage, and medicinal crops found in tropical Africa, as well as timber and rubber production. The second part of the book consists of country-specific information on nations in west, central, eastern and southern Africa that are situated in the tropics, and offers a general description of their agriculture. "Industrial crops are discussed for the interest of large-scale producers as well as small-scale farmers eager to find a source of supplementary revenue," Boutmans writes in his foreword. "Readers will notice the importance accorded to food crops in general, and vegetables and fruits in particular. Agroforestry is included to contribute towards achieving a more sustainable African agriculture." The book also discusses crops which may not be of interest to large industrial producers, but which are essential for the development of farmers in the south. In addition to small and industrial farmers, the book is targeted for use in African universities and institutions. For Boutmans, the primary challenge of cultivation across the continent is "to protect Africa's biodiversity and to end the environmental damage, sometimes beyond imagination, that is fuelled by some agricultural practices such as slash-and-burn". "Crop Production in Tropical Africa" is being distributed both in both French and English illustrated editions by Belgian embassies and cooperation offices throughout sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, please contact Mr Luc Sas, Directorate General for International Cooperation, Brussels, Belgium. Email: [email protected]