Breadfruit: A starchy, delicious climate and biodiversity solution

Report: Breadfruit Trees and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Originally from Southeast Asia, breadfruit trees produce large, potato-like fruits that can be used in many different culinary applications, making this a reliable crop for places struggling with poverty and food security. Recent research suggests that the increased temperatures of climate change will widen breadfruit’s range, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Role of Breadfruit in Sustainable Development

A few small organizations have been working to spread breadfruit trees around the world by encouraging farmers to plant breadfruit alongside other food crops in agroforestry plots. NGOs say this style of planting not only increases food security but makes these food systems even more resilient to climate change. Breadfruit is emerging as a friend with a lot to offer: a versatile source of food, a potential biodiversity protector, and a possible solution against multiple fronts in the climate crisis.

Increasing Breadfruit’s Range

Recent research published in PLOS Climate predicts that breadfruit’s range will actually increase with the rising temperatures of climate change, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is significant as many staple crops are expected to be impacted by climate change. Breadfruit can be a centerpiece for biodiversity and an important solution for low-latitude parts of the world where food insecurity is prevalent.

Spreading Breadfruit Groves

Largely thanks to the efforts of a few small organizations, breadfruit groves are popping up all over the world, spreading this tree far from its native habitat in Southeast Asia. Breadfruit’s versatility has also made it a rising star in the culinary world. It can be roasted, grilled, steamed, baked, or fried and used in various dishes. Many advocates are encouraging farmers to multiply breadfruit’s advantages by planting the trees in agroforestry plots, raising it alongside other crops rather than in spaced-out orchards.

The Benefits of Agroforestry

Agroforestry plots that include breadfruit trees provide additional food security for farming families and other sources of income. These diverse crop systems benefit from the shade, water retention, and natural soil enrichment provided by the breadfruit trees. Agroforests create habitat for various species and require fewer pesticides. They also lock away significant amounts of carbon in the soil, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Supporting Farmers and Building Local Demand

Organizations like the Breadfruit Institute provide farmers with breadfruit trees and resources to grow them. Their work addresses food insecurity in tropical countries and aims to reduce dependence on imported food. By promoting local demand for breadfruit products, these organizations help farmers establish markets for their produce and ensure the sustainability of breadfruit agroforests.

Climate Resilience and Breadfruit

Breadfruit agroforests offer climate resilience benefits. The dense shade provided by the trees makes harvesting food safer for workers on hot days compared to wide-open farm fields. Breadfruit trees have also shown resilience after natural disasters. For example, after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, many breadfruit trees were the only ones left standing in devastated woodlands and quickly regrew from fallen shoots.

Conclusion

Breadfruit trees have the potential to contribute to sustainable development goals, including reducing poverty, improving food security, protecting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. By promoting agroforestry practices and supporting local demand for breadfruit products, organizations can help communities build resilient food systems and improve livelihoods.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs:

1. No Poverty (SDG 1)
2. Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
3. Climate Action (SDG 13)
4. Life on Land (SDG 15)

Targets:

• SDG 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day.
• SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.

Indicators:

• Indicator for SDG 1.1: Proportion of population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status and geographical location.
• Indicator for SDG 2.1: Prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) in the population, based on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) methodology.
• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator for SDG 15.9: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.

Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are:

• No Poverty (SDG 1): The article discusses how breadfruit can be a reliable crop for places struggling with poverty and food security.
• Zero Hunger (SDG 2): The article highlights how breadfruit can be a staple crop that offers farmers a reliable source of nutritious food.
• Climate Action (SDG 13): The article mentions how breadfruit’s range will increase with the rising temperatures of climate change, making it a potential solution for low-latitude parts of the world where food insecurity is happening.
• Life on Land (SDG 15): The article emphasizes how agroforestry plots with breadfruit trees can create habitat for birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, contributing to biodiversity conservation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• SDG 1.1: Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day.
• SDG 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for SDG 1.1: Proportion of population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location.
• Indicator for SDG 2.1: Prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) in the population, based on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) methodology.
• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator for SDG 15.9: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: news.mongabay.com

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