(1986) n°2 - Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences

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Een andere reden waarom de teelt van deze peulgewassen wordt prijsgegeven schuilt ook vaak
in de schaarsheid of de buitensporige prijs van de brandstof die nodig is voor het bereiden
ervan. De landbouwtechnologie zou voorgekookte en gedeshydrateerde derivaten op punt
moeten stellen waarvan de uiteindelijke bereiding sneller zou gaan.
S u m m ary . — The International Symposium on Alimentary Leguminosae in Africa, their
importance and the problems posed by their protection (Niamey, 19-22 November 1985). — This
symposium was organised by the University of Niamey on the initiative of the “Association
des Universités partiellement ou entièrement de Langue française” (AUPELF), with the
financial help of international and bilateral aid organizations. It brought together representatives
of most of the French-speaking countries of western and central Africa, together with
French, Belgian and Swiss specialists in different disciplines of Leguminosae (botany,
agronomy, dietetics, entomology, phytopathology, ecology). Three themes were approached
in the course of the symposium :
1. Alimentary Leguminosae in Africa: systematics of these plants; their genetic improvement,
above all in associated cultures ; research and introduction of new plants whose
cultivation would be interesting, mainly for dry or marginal regions.
2. Their importance in alimentation (nutritive value, their importance in the preparation of
weaning flour) and the maintaining or improving of soil fertility (nitrogen fixation).
3. The problems posed by their protection : like any culture, that of Leguminosae is subject
to the depredations of ravaging insects and to mycosis and viral attacks. Once they have
matured, the grains are attacked by weevils (Coleoptera Bruchidae) who continue their
damage in the stocks. When the conservation period exceeds three or four months, which
is the case in regions with a long dry season and a single growing season, the damage is
such that farmers give up growing these plants (especially the cowpea, Vigna unguiculata).
The study of these predators is a prerequisite in order to perfect conservation techniques.
Another reason for the abandoning of the cultivation of Leguminosae is the scarcity or the
prohibitive price of the combustible necessary for cooking. Agrotechnology should develop
precooked dehydrated derivatives whose final preparation would be quicker.
*
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Ce colloque a été organisé par l’Université de Niamey à l’initiative de l’Association
dés Universités partiellement ou entièrement de Langue française (AUPELF)
avec l’appui financier d’organismes internationaux et d’organisations d’aide bilatérale.
Il a réuni des représentants de la plupart des pays francophones d’Afrique
occidentale et centrale et des spécialistes belges, français et suisses s’occupant dans
diverses disciplines des Légumineuses (botanique, agronomie, diététique, entomologie,
phytopathologie, écologie). Trois thèmes ont été abordés au cours du colloque :
1. Les Légumineuses alimentaires en Afrique : systématique de ces plantes ; leur
amélioration génétique surtout en cultures associées ; recherche et introduction
de nouvelles plantes dont la culture serait intéressante, principalement pour les
régions marginales, sèches.