More Diversity in Agriculture and Nutrition: Opportunities for Alternative Grains and Pseudocereals in Flanders
Intensive selection in traditional food crops has led to a dilution effect of valuable nutritional components and/or a significant increase in other constituents such as gluten. Therefore, there is a need for an integrated approach to increase crop diversity in order to ensure food security. Diversity in agricultural systems and food is crucial in this regard.
This multidisciplinary research project investigates a selection of alternative grains (einkorn, emmer, khorasan, and teff) and pseudocereals (amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa) through a complete chain approach, focusing on the field and processing phases, the nutritional aspects before and after processing into derived food products (bread), their potential impact at the population level, as well as the economic opportunities of these crops in Flanders.
During the first year of the project, promising genotypes of the various crops were selected. The potential of alternative grains and pseudocereals was assessed at different locations and soil types using the concept of intensive cultivation techniques. Based on this, the scope of the research plan was adjusted. Within the cultivation technical work package, an additional project from the Grain Agricultural Center was approved (focusing on alternative triticums at two locations: Koksijde and Tongeren). For quinoa cultivation, the focus this year was on the screening of herbicides. Furthermore, the basic composition (Weende analysis) and some baking quality parameters (of the triticums) were determined on the obtained material.
The cultivation technique (sowing density, fertilization, crop protection) of the selected promising species/varieties will be further optimized. The material obtained from the first growing season will be processed, specifically into bread. Thus, the nutritional value before and ultimately after processing will be determined: do certain nutritional claims qualify? Economic analysis is being initiated: what is the cost to produce 1 hectare of these crops?
This multidisciplinary research project investigates a selection of alternative grains (einkorn, emmer, khorasan, and teff) and pseudocereals (amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa) through a complete chain approach, focusing on the field and processing phases, the nutritional aspects before and after processing into derived food products (bread), their potential impact at the population level, as well as the economic opportunities of these crops in Flanders.
During the first year of the project, promising genotypes of the various crops were selected. The potential of alternative grains and pseudocereals was assessed at different locations and soil types using the concept of intensive cultivation techniques. Based on this, the scope of the research plan was adjusted. Within the cultivation technical work package, an additional project from the Grain Agricultural Center was approved (focusing on alternative triticums at two locations: Koksijde and Tongeren). For quinoa cultivation, the focus this year was on the screening of herbicides. Furthermore, the basic composition (Weende analysis) and some baking quality parameters (of the triticums) were determined on the obtained material.
The cultivation technique (sowing density, fertilization, crop protection) of the selected promising species/varieties will be further optimized. The material obtained from the first growing season will be processed, specifically into bread. Thus, the nutritional value before and ultimately after processing will be determined: do certain nutritional claims qualify? Economic analysis is being initiated: what is the cost to produce 1 hectare of these crops?
01/01/2016 - 07/04/2019
