Global agricultural production is currently limited by negative climate-related hazards such as drought, uneven rainfall and rising temperatures. Many efforts have been put in place by government and non-government agencies to mitigate the challenges of climate change in the sector. However, the approaches do not seem feasible due to the growing demand for food. With these challenges, climate-smart agricultural technologies such as aeroponics and underutilised crops have been projected as the future of agriculture in developing African countries to reduce the risk of food insecurity. In this paper, we present the cultivation of an underutilised indigenous African legume crop, Bambara groundnut, in an aeroponics system. Seventy Bambara groundnut landraces were cultivated in a low-cost climate-smart aeroponics system and in sawdust media. The results showed that Bambara groundnut landraces cultivated in aeroponics performed better than those cultivated in a traditional hydroponics (sawdust/drip irrigation) technique in terms of plant height and chlorophyll content, where the landraces cultivated in sawdust had a higher number of leaves than those cultivated in aeroponics. This study also demonstrated the feasibility of introducing a generic Internet of Things platform for climate-smart agriculture in developing countries. The proof-of-concept and the successful cultivation of a hypogeal crop in aeroponics can be useful for cost-effective adaptation and mitigation plans for climate change, particularly for food security in rural African agricultural sectors.

Climate-change-induced unpredictable weather patterns are adversely affecting global agricultural productivity, posing a significant threat to sustainability and food security, particularly in developing regions. Wealthier nations can invest substantially in measures to mitigate climate change’s impact on food production, but economically disadvantaged countries face challenges due to limited resources and heightened susceptibility to climate change. To enhance climate resilience in agriculture, technological solutions such as the Internet of Things (IoT) are being explored. This paper introduces a digital twin as a technological solution for monitoring and controlling temperatures in a greenhouse tunnel situated in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The study incorporates an aeroponics trial within the tunnel, analysing temperature variations caused by the fan and wet wall temperature regulatory systems. The research develops an analytical model and employs a support vector regression algorithm as an empirical model, successfully achieving accurate predictions. The analytical model demonstrated a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.93 °C and an $R^2$ value of 0.8, while the empirical model outperformed it with an RMSE of 1.76 °C and an $R^2$ value of 0.9 for a one-hour-ahead simulation. Potential applications and future work using these modelling techniques are then discussed.

Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a promising but underutilised legume, and there is limited research on its nutritional composition. In this study, we sought to assess the nutritional makeup of 70 BGN landraces, focusing on proximate, mineral, carbohydrate, amino acid, and fatty acid content. Results revealed sucrose as the predominant sugar (91%) with an average gross energy of 17.21 MJ/kg, and with fat content at 6.34% and crude protein at 19.20%. Tryptophan was the least available essential amino acid. Notable saturated fatty acids included linoleic acid (41%) and oleic acid (21%). Potassium and sodium emerged as primary macrominerals, whilst iron dominated amongst microminerals. In addition to these positive attributes, BGN was consistent in other nutritional parameters. The proximate analysis (ash, moisture, acid detergent fibre, and neutral detergent fibre content) fell within the typical ranges observed in most legumes. Of the 70 landraces, 6 (BGN 13, 23, 35, 48, 55, and 57) exhibited superior nutritional profiles. The identification of these specific landraces with superior nutritional profiles offers practical guidance for targeted cultivation efforts. That is, by strategically selecting and cultivating these landraces, it may become possible to maximise the nutritional benefits of BGN and address specific dietary deficiencies. This approach aligns with the overarching goal of ensuring food security and improving nutrition outcomes globally, and specifically on the African continent.

Background: Drought stress severely limits agricultural productivity. Bambara groundnut, an underutilised legume, shows promise for its resilience to harsh environments, particularly drought. Drought duration and manipulation type have been used to evaluate the response of Bambara groundnut to drought stress. Although studies have explored the effects of drought duration and manipulation on Bambara groundnut, an understanding of the legume’s response to drought stress remains inadequate. Aim: This meta-analysis assessed Bambara groundnut’s response to different drought durations (long-term, medium-term, short-term) and manipulation types (constant, dry-and-rewetting, intermittent). Setting: The study integrates data from multiple independent studies to evaluate how various drought durations and manipulations affect Bambara groundnut. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining drought’s effects on Bambara groundnut were conducted. Data from qualifying studies were extracted and statistically analysed to quantify drought’s impact on various physiological and yield parameters. Results: Drought stress significantly reduced yield (–10.22), stomatal conductance (–8.04), and pod number (–4.20). Short-term and medium-term droughts had a greater negative impact than long-term droughts. Intermittent drought did not affect biomass, plant height, leaf number, and chlorophyll content, while dry-and-rewetting cycles did not affect seed number. Conclusion: Based on the meta-analysis, future drought scenarios are predicted to negatively impact Bambara groundnut productivity, surpassing the challenges posed by current drought conditions. Contribution: This study emphasises the importance of developing strategies to enhance the resilience of indigenous crops, such as Bambara groundnut to drought, crucial for ensuring future food security in the face of changing climate patterns.

Background: Underutilised crops play a critical role in enhancing food and nutrition security, especially considering increasing disruptions in global food systems because of an overreliance on a few major crops. Despite their resilience to harsh environments, these crops remain vulnerable to pest and disease challenges.Aim: This systematic literature review (SLR) examined the pest and disease management strategies used by indigenous African farmers in cultivating underutilised crops.Setting: The SLR focused on pest and disease control practices in underutilised crop systems across various African countries.Methods: The study followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to ensure a transparent, replicable process. Data were collected from Scopus, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, Google Scholar and manually searched reference lists. After de-duplication and screening using Mendeley, 30 relevant articles were included in the final review.Results: There is a general scarcity of literature addressing pest and disease control in underutilised crops. Publications peaked in 2023 and 2024 (n = 4). Tanzania and Kenya produced the most research output. Common pests include aphids, armyworms, grasshoppers and legume pod borers. Identified management strategies include cultural methods (intercropping, crop rotation), chemical control (insecticides) and mechanical approaches (hand picking, traps).Conclusion: Despite the importance of underutilised crops, pest and disease management remains understudied, highlighting a need for further research and innovation.Contribution: This review contributes to understanding how African farmers manage pests and diseases in underutilised crops and encourages broader adoption of integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) practices.