Α FAO-ICARDA STUDY
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world must meet today and in the future. Prolonged droughts and desertification are among the issues faced by many countries, especially in Africa and Asia, where the rural poor and smallholders are most heavily affected. If people are to survive in these ever harsher conditions, their crops need to withstand drought, high temperatures and poor soils.
Cactus crops are gaining increasing interest across the globe, in particular cactus pear (Opuntia ficusindica), because of its unique characteristics which provide resilience to the above mentioned harsh conditions. Cactus pear is able to grow on land where no other crops are able to grow; it can be used to restore degraded land and in many countries, such as Ethiopia, it is the only crop that can be relied on when everything else fails. The crop originates in Mexico – still the largest producing and consuming country in the world – but other countries, including Morocco, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, India and Pakistan, are increasing their production and use.
In addition to its resilience as a crop, cactus pear is also increasingly appreciated for its multiple purposes. The fruit and young cladodes can be consumed by humans, and there is growing interest in its use as fodder. In Brazil, a plantation of over 400 000 ha in the northeast region serves as a key component in supporting livestock production in the country’s semi-arid regions. The cultivation of cactus pear for use as fodder is also being adopted in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Furthermore, its medicinal properties and industrial uses are being researched and promoted.
The FAO-ICARDA International Technical Cooperation Network on Cactus (CactusNet) was established in 1993 to support the promotion of this underutilized crop. The first edition of this book, Agro-ecology, cultivation and uses of cactus pear, was published in 1995. During the last 20 years much knowledge on cactus pear has been generated, and this is reflected in this extensively revised edition in 2017.
The dedication of all the experts who have contributed to this edition is greatly appreciated and it is hoped that the book will become a useful resource in those countries interested in developing or increasing cactus production. Further, we acknowledge the excellent work of the CactusNet, and encourage others to join and contribute to expanding the outputs generated by the Network and its partners.
