Detailed maps have been created to identify optimal regions for cultivating bambara groundnut, a drought-tolerant crop, in South Africa and Eswatini. Researchers utilized advanced simulations to determine suitable planting months and land suitability.
These maps are crucial for enhancing food security and resilience against climate shocks. Bambara groundnut is an indigenous African legume known for its ability to cope with drought and provide important nutrients. The study accounted for daily weather changes and the critical impact of frost risk, which reduced suitable planting areas by 28%. Existing land use, such as mining and urban development, further reduced available land by 20%.
Source: Down To Earth