Rutsaert P, Achigan-Dako EG, Ayenan MAT, Chamberlin J, Daudi H, Houdegbe AC, Kresovich S, Mbugua Gitonga A, Nas TM, Ojiewo CO, Sibiya J, Gandhi H, Banda VR, Niang M, Betran J, Chisikaurayi B, Egesi C, Gangashetty P, Ibitoye D, Mushoriwa H, Muungani D, Onyeka J, Schafleitner R, Tippe DE, Yohane EN, Pixley KV, 2026. Steps to transform African opportunity crops into reality crops. Nature Communications; 17: 2872. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70990-3.
Reliance on a few staple crops makes global agriculture vulnerable to climate shocks, biodiversity loss and nutrition gaps. The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), a global initiative to build resilient food systems, addresses this imbalance by modernizing market orientation, breeding, and capacity for opportunity crops such as amaranth, Bambara groundnut, finger millet, okra, pigeon pea, sesame, and taro. We advocate for a business unusual approach characterized by market guided prioritization and long-term breeding strategy, led by grassroots science networks. VACS applies lessons from major crop programs to translate potential into scalable impact.
