Cornish farmers should start growing quinoa, expert suggests

'Products such as quinoa tend to be more profitable than more traditional forms of agriculture'

(AFP/ Getty Images )

Quinoa – the supposed ‘superfood’ from South America beloved of foodies – can now be grown as a viable cash crop in the UK, according to new research.

The grain contains twice the protein of rice and barley and is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, several of the B vitamins and fibre. The United Nations declared 2013 to be ‘International Quinoa Year’ to highlight its nutritional benefits.

Parts of Cornwall have been officially ‘sub-tropical’ since 2000 as the temperature has increased, allowing a number of new plant species to be grown.

A study by academics at Exeter University found the climate was suitable to grow quinoa and other exotic crops like Japanese persimmon.

Cornish agriculture has been hit by a price crisis that prompted hundreds of farmers to protest in London earlier this year.

Dr Ilya Maclean, who led the research, suggested farmers could make more money by taking advantage of the changing climate to grow newly viable crops like quinoa.

“In terms of temperatures, quinoa could be farmed in temperatures today. It doesn't like frost," he told the Plymouth Herald.

“The next stage is working with farmers to work out what is possible.

“One example of this is how well the wine industry in Cornwall is doing. Vineyards are enjoying more and more success each year.

“Products such as quinoa tend to be more profitable than more traditional forms of agriculture, per hectare, compared to something like dairy farming.”

Some pioneering farmers have already been growing quinoa in limited amounts in Britain – and they have been struggling to keep up with demand as the popularity of the grain has surged.

One farmer in Shropshire started trying to grow it in 2005, but only got his first commercially viable crop in 2013.

However, Dr Maclean also warned the warmer weather could bring problems.

“While sub-tropical conditions may create opportunities to grow exotic crops, the lower frequency of frosts is also making Cornwall more susceptible to invasive species,” he said.

“As the temperatures continue to warm, we need to ensure we manage the risks carefully as well as capitalising on the opportunities.

“This will require scientists to continue to work hand-in-hand with the horticultural sector.”

A paper about the research, called Climate change impacts and adaptive strategies: lessons from the grapevine, was published in the journal Global Change Biology.