Résumé
Fonio is an important indigenous cereal, known for its high nutritional value and resilience to marginal environmental conditions. Though normally considered as one of the neglected underutilized species, it plays a significant role in addressing food and nutrition security, particularly in regions facing challenges such as drought and poor soil fertility. As global food demand increases and climate change intensifies, fonio’s potential as a climate-smart crop becomes even more critical. This chapter examines the origin and domestication history of fonio and current trends in its production. It further discusses the cultivation practices which are largely traditional and highlights the need for development of improved agronomic packages and improved varieties to enhance fonio production and productivity. It also covers the nutritional value of fonio as a superfood and its versatility in the culinary industry. We also highlight fonio’s rapid growth and climate resilience, showcasing its potential as a sustainable crop for food security in vulnerable regions. The progress made in breeding and characterization of fonio genetic resources, as well as the challenges and opportunities for accelerating the development of high-yielding, nutrient dense climate-smart fonio varieties, is also elaborated. The application of emerging omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and phenomics, to harness the resilient properties of fonio is explored. Future perspectives including the development and marketing of value-added products of fonio at the global level, leveraging on its resilience and adaptability for improved food and nutrition security, are highlighted.