Fonio: the newest ancient grain
Fonio with its nutty, delicate taste and versatility is a seed that has been cultivated for more than 5000 years in African savannas. Multiple ethnic groups have elaborated many different myths and stories around Fonio. But one is universal: it's delicious!
A crop to face climate change
Fonio is incredible!
It grows well in poor, sandy and acid soils. This is why it is so well adapted to the semi-arid lands of Sahel which stretches from the East of Senegal to Sudan.
Fonio needs very little water to thrive and its extensive root system helps fight soil erosion and prevent desertification.
This is the perfect seed in this time of climate change. The volume of water required to grow fonio is extraordinarily small compared to other crops such as rice or corn.
In addition, it is among the world’s fastest maturing cereal. Fonio grass reaches maturity in only 6-8 weeks during the rainy season. It can be harvested three times per year, providing an early source of food during the year.
NEVER HEARd about fonio before?
Fonio is an old crop. Its popularity even extended until Egypt where fonio grains have been found in the sepulture of a pharaoh. For Sahelians, Fonio was food of the kings. However, due to a lack of adapted equipments, harvesting and husking Fonio became too laborious in the second half of the 20th century compared to other grains such as rice or corn.
It is only in the mid 2000’s that a group of scientists produced and further industrialised the first machine fine-tuned to husk the tiny fonio grains.
Nowadays, more and more communities of farmers in West Africa get access to these machines and can intensify their production.
Recognized by the EU
In December 2018, the European Union officially approved fonio as Novel Food. The Regulation approves Fonio (Digitaria Exilis) to be marketed in Europe as an innovative and healthy ingredient.
