Improved utilization of cactus pear for food, feed, soil and water conservation and other products in Africa

Abstract

This Workshop was jointly organized by the Tigray Agricultural Research Institute (Mekele, Ethiopia), The Tigray Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), FAO- ICARDA CACTUSNET, International Center for Agricultural research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Swiss Association for International Development (Helvetas-Ethiopia), and International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). The choice of East Africa and Ethiopia to host this workshop was not incidental. Indeed, (i) East Africa is facing food security and poverty issues challenges; (ii) FAO has been and still implementing fruitful projects in Tigray to promote cactus crop as food, feed and income diversification option; (iii) Tigray region and its research institutes and centers are obviously the most advanced in East Africa in the field of cactus pear crop development and uses (iv) the interest and support of the FAO Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa was a guarantee for the success of the workshop. The workshop coincides with the first shipment of cochineal to abroad to be processed to produce red carmin; this new initiative is most welcomed to diversify and increase poor farmers’ income.