THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF GRAINS
IN SSA
Grains are the most important food staple in SSA. They are
the predominant crops, except in certain areas of West and
Central Africa, where the populations rely on roots and tubers
or plantains. Hence, this report focuses on grains. Maize,
mostly white varieties, is the most widely planted crop in
the region and has the highest production (Figure 2.1). Maize
is grown in all but very dry agro-ecological zones, where
sorghum and pearl/bulrush millet are dominant. Rice cultivation
is widespread and increasing in response to changing
patterns of local consumer demand, and wheat and barley
are grown in areas that are more temperate or under irrigation.
Some indigenous grains, particularly teff and fonio, are
important locally. Total annual grain production is in excess of
112 million tons.