THE POTENTIALS OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT VOANDZEIA SUBTERRANEA (L.) VERDC) IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA

*Mshelia, J. S¹; Sajo, A. A.² and Simon, S. Y.²

¹Department of Agriculture, Coll. of Edu. Sci. & Technology, Borno State.

²Department of Crop Production and Horticulture School of Agric. & Agric. Technology

Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola

* jessesila@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

There is much concern about sustainable food security in Nigeria and the world over. The government is trying all means possible to meet up people’s need in food supply. This paper, highlight the potentials of Bambara groundnuts (Voandzea subterranean (L) Verdc.) in achieving this objective. The crop has the ability to perform well on poor soils, with even less management, besides it is highly nutritive with good quality protein compared to other plant proteins. The paper identified areas of improvement needed as agronomic practices, breeding for higher yield, increased digestibility and processing qualities.

Keywords: Bambara Groundnut, Sustainable, Food Security.