Against the grain: Securing food supply with wheat alternatives in the world

The article highlights the severe global wheat shortage resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine, caused by the conflict's impact on[/INST] wheat production in the conflict regions, which are among the world's leading wheat-exporting countries, Russia and Ukraine. This shortage has led to escalating bread prices and food insecurity in countries like Egypt, and exacerbated an already critical food crisis in the Sahel and West Africa, largely due to climate change. The article discusses efforts to mitigate this crisis by increasing domestic production and exploring alternatives to traditional wheat, such as the cultivation of more resilient and sustainable grains like einkorn and emmer. These grains, which were staples in ancient civilizations, are noted for their disease resistance, climate resilience, and improved nutritional profiles compared to modern wheat. Additionally, the introduction of a new perennial grain, Kernza, offers a solution to the challenges posed by the seasonal nature of traditional wheat crops, such as reduced carbon sequestration and the need for annual replanting.