{"title":"Enhancing Crop Nutrition in Arid and Semiarid Regions of Africa Through Genome Editing Using CRISPR/Cas","authors":"Erick Amombo, Rita H. Mumm, Abdelaziz Nilahyane, Abdelaziz Hirich, Mohamed Hijri, Valentine Otang Ntui","doi":"10.1002/fes3.70068","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Africa, aggravated by escalating drought, jeopardizing the region's ability to meet nutritional requirements for human health. In arid and semiarid regions, crop yield is severely affected by drought and salinity. Thus, obtaining an effective crop development requires striking the right balance between growth and defense. This review delves into the potential of CRISPR/Cas genome editing technology to tackle these challenges by improving the nutritional quality of climate-resilient crops for SSA in the context of drought and soil salinity. We describe in detail opportunities for climate-resilient crops with nutritional traits that could be developed using CRISPR/Cas systems for potential cultivation in arid and semiarid regions of Africa. We discussed the crops, genes and specific pathways that could be targeted. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of aligning these scientific solutions with evolving policy frameworks, particularly favorable biosafety regulations concerning genome editing. In addition, we underscore the significance of capacity-building programs, which have the potential to revolutionize crop value chains, tapping solutions enabled through genome editing. By strategically integrating CRISPR/Cas technology and supporting policies alongside capacity-building initiatives and communication strategies, Africa can bolster food and nutritional security amidst climate change challenges. This approach not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also fosters long-term resilience in the region's agricultural systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":54283,"journal":{"name":"Food and Energy Security","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fes3.70068","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Food and Energy Security","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fes3.70068","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Africa, aggravated by escalating drought, jeopardizing the region's ability to meet nutritional requirements for human health. In arid and semiarid regions, crop yield is severely affected by drought and salinity. Thus, obtaining an effective crop development requires striking the right balance between growth and defense. This review delves into the potential of CRISPR/Cas genome editing technology to tackle these challenges by improving the nutritional quality of climate-resilient crops for SSA in the context of drought and soil salinity. We describe in detail opportunities for climate-resilient crops with nutritional traits that could be developed using CRISPR/Cas systems for potential cultivation in arid and semiarid regions of Africa. We discussed the crops, genes and specific pathways that could be targeted. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of aligning these scientific solutions with evolving policy frameworks, particularly favorable biosafety regulations concerning genome editing. In addition, we underscore the significance of capacity-building programs, which have the potential to revolutionize crop value chains, tapping solutions enabled through genome editing. By strategically integrating CRISPR/Cas technology and supporting policies alongside capacity-building initiatives and communication strategies, Africa can bolster food and nutritional security amidst climate change challenges. This approach not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also fosters long-term resilience in the region's agricultural systems.
期刊介绍：
Food and Energy Security seeks to publish high quality and high impact original research on agricultural crop and forest productivity to improve food and energy security. It actively seeks submissions from emerging countries with expanding agricultural research communities. Papers from China, other parts of Asia, India and South America are particularly welcome. The Editorial Board, headed by Editor-in-Chief Professor Martin Parry, is determined to make FES the leading publication in its sector and will be aiming for a top-ranking impact factor.
Primary research articles should report hypothesis driven investigations that provide new insights into mechanisms and processes that determine productivity and properties for exploitation. Review articles are welcome but they must be critical in approach and provide particularly novel and far reaching insights.
Food and Energy Security offers authors a forum for the discussion of the most important advances in this field and promotes an integrative approach of scientific disciplines. Papers must contribute substantially to the advancement of knowledge.
Examples of areas covered in Food and Energy Security include:
• Agronomy
• Biotechnological Approaches
• Breeding & Genetics
• Climate Change
• Quality and Composition
• Food Crops and Bioenergy Feedstocks
• Developmental, Physiology and Biochemistry
• Functional Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Pest and Disease Management
• Post Harvest Biology
• Soil Science
• Systems Biology
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