The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). As part of the IYM2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing the “IYM Global Webinar Series” to highlight the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and vast potential. 

Fonio is one of the oldest crops in Africa, and among the world’s fastest maturing cereal (60-70 days). In many Western African countries, fonio plays an important role in household food security and income generation and holds a vital place in cultural identity. Fonio is valued for its high nutrition, and ability to grow in areas of drought and high temperatures. 

With its potential for improving food security and nutrition, healthy diets and local development fonio can significantly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). IYM2023 provides an unparalleled opportunity to promote fonio as a globally important crop for the future and bring together researchers and practitioners from different countries and disciplines to share their work and join forces to promote its use for sustainable agriculture and improving local livelihoods.

Join this webinar to learn more about the genetics, taxonomic diversity and distribution of fonio, seed science and conservation, sustainable cultivation practices, potential uses and nutritional values, and opportunities to generate income.

 

REGISTER HERE.

Agenda

Time                            Agenda item and presenter 

13:00 – 13:05	Opening remarks by Mr Paolo Ceci, Technical Cooperation Programme in Saudi Arabia, FAO
13:05 – 13:15	A large regional partnership network to promote conservation and sustainable use of fonio by Ms Claire Billot, CIRAD, and Ms Adeline Barnaud, IRD, France
13:15 – 13:25	Genomics to improve fonio millet by Mr Simon Krattinger, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
13:25 – 13:35	Fonio diversity in resilient landscapes by Mr George Burton, Imperial College London / RBG Kew, UK
13:35 – 13:45	Nutritional and food technology aspects of fonio by Ms Nadia M.L. Fanou-Fogny, University of Abomey Calavi, Benin
13:45 – 13:55	Fonio-fueled sustainable livelihood enhancement by Mr Michel Ghanem, Forgotten Crops Society, France
13:55 – 14:05	Fonio as a driving force for empowering women by Ms Fatmata Binta, Fulani Kitchen Foundation, Ghana
14:05 – 14:15	New market opportunities for fonio by Mr Pierre Thiam, Yolélé & Teranga, United States of America
14:15 – 14:25	Moderated discussion
14:25 – 14:30	Closing remarks by Ms Sarada Krishnan, Crop Trust, Germany

The webinar will be moderated by Ms Tiziana Ulian, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (U.K.)/ University of Turin (Italy).

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