Disappearing traditional crops pose threat to food security, experts warn
Agriculture experts have warned that agriculture mechanisation, expansion of large-scale agriculture and new technologies have led to disappearance of local crop varieties as farmers look for more commercial varieties that grow faster and produce more yields.
The experts were earlier this week, speaking during an African Union Regional Workshop on the Implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
The two-day conference brought together officials from African Union countries and beyond, ahead of the 7th session of the Treaty’s governing body, which will be held in Rwanda from October 30 to November 3, 2017.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4ba0ec_46b6ea5f07144d259935e6dbdfb240eb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_640,h_427,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/4ba0ec_46b6ea5f07144d259935e6dbdfb240eb~mv2.jpg)
CIFOR