NUS Underutilized Species - Neglected and - Bioversity International
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NUS
Fighting Poverty, Hunger
and Malnutrition with
Neglected and
Underutilized
Species Needs, Challenges and
the Way Forward
Stefano Padulosi, Judith Thompson and Per Rudebjer
Bioversity International is a research-for-development organization working with partners worldwide to use and conserve agricultural and forest biodiversity for improved livelihoods, nutrition, sustainability and productive and resilient ecosystems. Bioversity International is working towards a world in which smallholder farming communities in developing countries of Africa, Asia and the Americas are thriving and sustainable. Bioversity International focuses on rain-fed farming systems, primarily managed by smallholder farmers, in areas where large-scale agriculture is not a viable option. Its research influences policy decisions and investment in agricultural research, from the local level to the global level. Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure future. CGIAR research is dedicated to reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition and ensuring more sustainable management of natural resources. It is carried out by the 15 centres which are members of the CGIAR Consortium in close collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia and the private sector. www.cgiar.org Bioversity International’s headquarters are near Rome, Italy, along with the Rome-based UN food agencies FAO, IFAD and WFP. Bioversity International has regional offices in Colombia, Kenya and Malaysia. The organization, founded in 1974, has more than 300 staff and scientists worldwide working with around 700 partners. www.bioversityinternational.org Citation Padulosi, S., Thompson, J., Rudebjer, P. 2013. Fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition with neglected and underutilized species (NUS): needs, challenges and the way forward. Bioversity International, Rome. Cover Bolivian farmer in her field of cañihua, an underutilized Andean crop that farmers value for its cold tolerance, a trait increasingly appreciated for adaptation to climate change. Photo: S.Padulosi/Bioversity. ISBN 978-92-9043-941-7 Bioversity International Via dei Tre Denari 472/a 00057 Maccarese, Rome, Italy Tel. (39-06) 61181 Fax. (39-06) 61979661 bioversity@cgiar.org © Bioversity International, 2013
Contents
Acknowledgements iv
Summary 1
Introduction 6
What are NUS? Why are they important? 9
Neglected and marginalized 12
Food security and resilience of food systems 13
NUS and nutrition 15
NUS, income and livelihoods 17
Cultural identity 18
Status of NUS around the world 21
Sub-Saharan Africa 21
Latin America 23
Europe 24
Western Asia 24
Stories of impact 27
Key challenges facing NUS today 31
What needs to be done? 37
1. Change perceptions 38
2. Develop capacity 39
3. Enhance research 40
4. Improve conservation 42
5. Involve stakeholders 43
6. Add value and upgrade market chains 45
7. Create a supportive policy environment 46
8. Increase cooperation 48
Conclusions 51
References 53
Acknowledgements
This publication draws heavily on a number of research papers and publications
developed by Bioversity International, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
UN (FAO) and the Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE).
The underlying research work has been conducted for the CGIAR Research Program
on Policies, Institutions and Markets (PIM) by Bioversity International with support
from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Technical Centre
for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The technical advice from Crops For the Future
(CFF) is also warmly acknowledged.
iv Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species
Summary
Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are those to
which little attention is paid or which are entirely ignored by
agricultural researchers, plant breeders and policymakers1.
Typically, NUS are not traded as commodities. They are wild
or semi-domesticated varieties and non-timber forest species
adapted to particular, often quite local, environments. Many of
these varieties and species, along with a wealth of traditional
knowledge about their cultivation and use, are being lost at an
alarming rate.
Yet NUS present tremendous opportunities for fighting poverty,
hunger and malnutrition. And they can help make agricultural
production systems more resilient to climate change. Not least,
acknowledgment of the value of NUS in traditional foods and
cultures can empower indigenous communities (women in
particular) and reaffirm their identity.
The time for action on NUS is now. There is a growing
realization that agriculture must diversify. NUS have an
important role to play in advancing agricultural development
beyond the Green Revolution model of improving and raising
the yields of staple crops.
1
In this document we shall focus only on plant genetic resources.
H.Lamers/Bioversity
Mangosteen (Garcinia
mangostana) on sale at 1
an Indian market.
Neglect by agronomic researchers and policy makers, genetic erosion,
loss of local knowledge, marketing and climate change are major
challenges to the sustainable use of NUS. Reversing the neglect,
tackling these challenges, and ensuring that NUS are conserved and
used sustainably, means taking urgent action in eight areas:
1
Change the perceptions of NUS as unimportant ‘poor man’s food’.
The neglect of NUS and failure to use them fully stems from a lack
of awareness of their economic and nutritional value. Researchers,
farmers, consumers and policymakers focus on the major commodity
crops. Public awareness campaigns, better information and training can
help farmers and consumers realize the benefits NUS can bring and can
encourage scientists and policymakers to optimize and promote these
benefits.
2
Develop capacity in researching, teaching, policymaking,
trading and farming NUS.
The entire agricultural sector needs to recognize the importance of NUS
and to protect and conserve traditional knowledge about NUS for future
generations. This means training farmers and other groups along value
chains in, for example, crop management, producing good quality seed,
selecting varieties, intercropping systems, managing soil health, adding
value and developing products, packaging, bookkeeping and marketing.
Training is particularly important for women as it empowers them to
play an important role in taking NUS to markets. Broadening agricultural
curricula to include the conservation and use of NUS along with the
staple crops will encourage young scientists to take food and nutritional
approaches to agricultural development. Information campaigns can
help convince policymakers of the need for incentives and support for
programmes promoting the use of NUS. Supporting the development of
infrastructure and institutions, such as providing better cultivation tools,
processing machinery and storage facilities, will also be important.
3
Undertake more research on NUS, particularly with regard to
their adaptive qualities and the links between NUS and nutrition
and livelihoods.
Investing in research on NUS will help realize the full potential of these
crops. Properly documenting, characterizing and collecting and sharing
2 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species
data on NUS are essential. In particular, research on the nutritional
aspects of NUS, and their adaptive traits are important. Research will
need to include molecular work to identify NUS material suitable for
breeding. Links between scientific and traditional knowledge systems
will need to be created and inter-disciplinary research networks
established.
4
Set up global on-farm NUS conservation programmes.
Setting up global NUS conservation programmes will strengthen in situ
conservation of wild species and ex situ conservation in genebanks.
A combination of in situ and ex situ approaches will empower local
farmers, particularly women. To do this, local, national, regional and
international agencies can finance programmes to conserve and use
NUS, and leverage existing mechanisms and programmes that focus on
major staples and commodity crops.
5
Involve the full range of stakeholders in participatory
partnerships to promote and conserve NUS, particularly farmer
and women’s organizations.
Addressing challenges, needs and opportunities related to promoting
NUS calls for active collaboration with local communities and
mainstreaming gender-sensitive approaches. Through each step of the
research and development processes, stakeholders – from smallholder
farmers to policymakers – must be consulted and involved through
open participatory processes. Farmer organizations and traditional seed
systems can help make programmes to promote the relevance and
effectiveness of NUS more effective.
6
Find innovative ways to upgrade NUS market chains and to
develop and market value-added products.
Key priorities in marketing NUS are improving access to markets,
adding value and stimulating demand. Because new technologies
developed for commercial crops are not always suited to traditional
NUS, this means finding innovative solutions to simplify processing,
create new products and establish multi-stakeholder platforms for
NUS value chains. Top chefs, restaurants and food retailers can play
a leading role in promoting the use of NUS in gastronomy and food
systems.
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 3
7
Put in place legal frameworks, policies and financial incentives
to promote NUS and encourage agricultural diversification.
Policies, such as including NUS in school feeding programmes and
promoting them as components in sustainable diets, enriching food
aid with nutritious NUS and subsidising cultivation and marketing
of NUS, can encourage their use. Incentives can support farmers
to grow and conserve NUS on-farm, and can be complemented by
incentives to conserve NUS ex situ. Governments can mainstream NUS
best practices, methods and tools into routine operations. Financial
support can take the form of schemes such as payment for conserving
agrobiodiversity. At the international level, including NUS in the Annex 8
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
will be important.
8
Encourage collaboration in researching, promoting, conserving
and sustainably using NUS, and coordinate activities and multi-
stakeholder platforms across sectors.
More needs to be done to ensure that NUS are no longer ignored and
neglected by researchers and markets. This means strengthening
cooperation among stakeholders and creating synergies at national,
regional and international levels. Coordination to promote NUS at
different levels and in different areas will help establish common
approaches, such as standard methods for documenting and monitoring
on-farm conservation and international policies for trading NUS. The
current lack of interaction across sectors (agriculture, nutrition, health,
education) and stakeholder groups (farmers, researchers, value chain
actors, decision makers) limits the potential of NUS. Mechanisms and
processes that facilitate strategic synergies among national, regional
and international networks, and collaborative platforms, need to be
encouraged and supported.
4 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum
esculentum) at flowering stage
in a Chinese field.
Bioversity/Beijing Office
5
Introduction
‘Nature’s bounty’ is a term that needs no definition. It is
what feeds us, clothes us, warms us, shelters us, defines
our livelihoods and underlies the myriad cultures of human
populations. All of this bounty rests on plant life, upon which
all animal life, including that of humans, ultimately depends.
Approximately 30,000 edible plant species have been identified,
of which more than 7,000 plant species have been used in the
history of humanity to meet food needs (FAO 1998). At present,
however, no more than 150 species are commercially cultivated
and, of these, just 103 crops provide up to 90% of the calories
in the human diet.2 Just four of these (rice, wheat, maize and
potato) account for fully 60% of the human energy supply.3
2
Prescott-Allen and Prescott-Allen 1990
3
http://www.fao.org/biodiversity/components/plants/it/
Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus)
at the INIA Research Station in
Cuzco, Peru.
6Almost all the efforts of the Green Revolution extension services. In many areas these
from the 1960s through the 1980s focused crops are being lost altogether, along with a
on improving these major staple crops. wealth of traditional knowledge about their
However, from the perspective of sustainable cultivation and uses.
food security, relying on such a narrow food
base makes our food supply extremely At the same time, pervasive malnutrition,
vulnerable. Basing our diet on a very small widespread poverty, degradation of
number of major crops has dire implications agroecosystems and the impacts of climate
for both food security and nutrition. The lack change on agricultural production call
of genetic diversity within the genepools urgently for new efforts on neglected and
of these few crops leaves our agricultural minor crops, similar to those already being
systems vulnerable to pests and diseases, made in support of the primary food crops.
and to abiotic stress. In this inter-connected It is becoming increasingly clear that bolder
world, a variation on the devastating Irish and more consistent action is needed to
potato famine of the nineteenth century broaden the food basket of the world by
could have far-reaching and disastrous supporting the development of traditional
consequences. Foretastes of what could crops marginalized by current research and
happen were experienced in the 1970s, when agricultural policies.
hybrid varieties of maize were shown to be
sensitive to leaf blight, in 1930 when a fungus Internationally, there is rising interest in
damaged all taro cultivation in Samoa, and new foods and other products that can
in 1875 when a rust fungus devastated the contribute in novel ways to human health
coffee crop in Sri Lanka. A current global and nutrition. This interest can be exploited
threat to wheat production is stem rust. This to develop markets for non-staple crops
aggressive and very destructive disease first from which poor communities can benefit,
appeared in Uganda, but has spread through providing incentives for farmers to plant
the Middle East, destroying wheat crops. It these crops. Agriculture must go beyond the
is threatening wheat-producing countries Green Revolution technologies of the last
worldwide where resistant varieties are half century, which were based on genetic
lacking. To prevent this and other food crop improvement and increased yields of the
calamities, there is clearly a need to maintain staple crops, but at high external cost. While
diversity both within and between crops in our these increases did allow countries to reduce
production systems. hunger, they also resulted in inappropriate
and excessive use of agrochemicals, wasteful
As a consequence of the commercial use of water in inappropriate irrigation
S.Padulosi/Bioversity
advantages of mono cropping and the schemes, loss of beneficial biodiversity
high yield of many improved hybrid crops, (pollinators, soil fauna, etc.), water and soil
crop diversity – typified by local, traditional pollution, and significantly reduced crop and
crop varieties and minor crops – is being varietal diversity.
neglected by agronomists as well as
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 7Black cumin (Nigella sativa)
at the AREA Research
Station in Dhamar, Yemen.
8What are NUS?
Why are they important?
Agricultural species that are not among the major staple crops
often come under the heading of ‘neglected and underutilized
species’ (NUS) and are sometimes called ‘orphan’ crops.
The NUS concept applies to useul managed with traditional systems, use
plant species which are marginalized, informal seed sources and involve a
if not entirely ignored, by researchers, strong gender element. Their processing
breeders and policy makers. They are can be laborious, grading and packaging
non-commodity crops and belong to a primitive and the products marketed
large, biodiverse group of thousands of locally with limited involvement of large
domesticated, semi-domesticated or wild enterprises. Having long been neglected
species. They may be locally adapted by mainstream agriculture for a variety of
minor crops as well as non-timber forest agronomic, genetic, economic, social and
species. The designation ‘NUS’ is also cultural reasons, today these crops are
fluid, as when a crop is simultaneously receiving increasing recognition because
a well-established major crop in one of their potential role in mitigating risk in
country and a neglected minor crop in agricultural production systems. Over the
another. In some countries, moreover, last ten years or so, an increasing number
agricultural statistics and research do of projects have directed their attention
not distinguish between NUS and other to the significance of NUS in improving
crops. nutrition, generating income, maintaining
ecosystem health and empowering the
NUS differ from staple crops in poor and marginalized, as well as in
fundamental ways. They tend to be promoting cultural diversity.
S.Padulosi/Bioversity
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 9Examples of NUS used for food from around the world4
Cereals and
pseudo-cereals
Roots and tubers
Einkorn (Triticum monococcum), emmer
Yams (Dioscorea spp.), yacon (Smallanthus (T. dicoccon), spelt (T. spelta), tef (Eragrostis tef),
sonchifolius), ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), fonio (Digitaria exilis), cañihua (Chenopodium
taro (Colocasia esculenta), arracacha pallidicaule), finger millet (Eleusine coracana),
(Arracacia xanthorriza), American yam kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum), foxtail
bean (Pachyrhizus spp.), maca (Lepidium millet (Setaria italic), little millet (Panicum
meyenii), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), parsnip sumatrense), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum),
(Pastinaca sativa), cocoyam (Xanthosoma amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), buckwheat
sagittifolium) (Fagopyrum spp.), Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi)
Fruits and nuts
Maya nut (Brosimum alicastrum), breadfruit carissa (Carissa edulis), coccinia (Coccinia
(Artocarpus altilis), jackfruit (Artocarpus trilobata), acacia (Acacia toritilis), kei apple
heterophyllus), baobab (Adansonia digitata), (Dovyalis caffra), tree grapes (Lamnea spp.),
jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana), cherimoya (Annona medlars (Vanguera spp.), pitanga (Eugenia
cherimola), cape gooseberry (Pysalis peruviana), uniflora), Malabar chestnut (Pachira aquatica),
naranjilla (Solanum quitoense), pomegranate camu camu (Myrciaria dubia), dragon fruit
(Punica granatum), noni (Morinda citrifolia), (Hylocereus spp.), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excels),
marula (Sclerocarya birrea), tamarind (Tamarindus egg nut (Couepia longipendula), quince (Cydonia
indica), Annona (Annona spp.), safou (Dacryodes oblonga), Yara Yara (Duguetia lepidota), Araza
edulis), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), (Eugenia stipitata), lúcuma (Lucuma obovata),
monkey orange (Strychnos cocculoides), salak miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)
(Salacca spp.), nipa palm (Nypa fruticans), duku
(Lansium domesticum), boscia (Boscia spp.),
4
More can be found at
http://bit.ly/14RDz0V
10 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized SpeciesVegetables
Moringa (Moringa oleifera), African eggplant (Solanum nigrum), ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis),
(Solanum aethiopicum), leaf amaranth gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), celosia (Celosia
(Amaranthus spp.), brassica (Brassica rapa argentea), dika (Irvingia spp.), egusi (Citrullus
varieties), locust bean (Parkia biglobosa), lanatus), marama (Tylosema esculentum),
winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa), giant swamp
chayote (Sechium edule), chrysanthemum taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii), akoub (Gundelia
(Chrysanthemum coronarium), bitter gourd tournefortii), crambe (Crambe spp.), cardoon
(Momordica charantia), angle gourd (Luffa (Cynara cardunculus), eru (Gnetum africanum),
acutangula), snake gourd (Thrichosantes purslane (Portulaca oleracea), golden thistle
cucumerina var. anguina), Ceylon spinach (Scolymus hispanicus), bitter leaf (Vernonia
(Basella rubra), spider plant (Cleome gynandra), amygdalina)
jute (Corchorus olitorius), black nightshade
Spice, condiment,
Legumes food dye agent
Makoni (Fadogia ancylantha), annatto
Mungbean (Vigna radiata), adzuki bean
(Bixa orellana), mustard seed (Brassica
(V. angularis), ricebean (V. umbellata), lupin
juncea), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-
(Lupinus mutabilis), Bambara groundnut
graecum), pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius),
(Vigna subterranea), jack bean (Canavalia
polygonum (Poligonum odoratum),
ensiformis), grasspea (Lathyrus sativus),
antidesma (Antidesma venosum), uer
lablab (Lablab purpureus), pigeon pea
(Lippia carviodora), rocket (Diplotaxis spp.),
(Cajanus cajan), African yam bean
caper (Capparis spinosa), monkey cola
(Sphenostylis stenocarpa), Kersting’s
(Cola lateritia), sea buckthorn (Hippophae
groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum)
rhamnoides), nigella (Nigella sativa)
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 11Farming families in poor rural areas favour of a few commercially dominant
consume NUS, use them for medicine and crops and, in the process, forget
to generate income. In many areas women the accumulated knowledge of the
are the main custodians of these crops properties and uses of these traditional
and the associated traditional knowledge; crops. Crucially, major crops dominate
men in many cultures concentrate national and international markets and
on producing staple and commercial government policies, to the detriment of
crops, meaning NUS can be particularly hundreds of other minor and local crops
important for empowering women. that together have huge significance. The
underlying reasons for this may be as
NUS offer tremendous opportunities much political as economic. The frequent
to all countries – regardless of their result is that NUS are being lost at an
development status – to: improve alarming rate before they can be fully
people’s diets and to strengthen the characterized, researched and promoted.
potential for income generation not
only for farmers, but also for all the Scientific efforts since the Green
other actors engaged in the associated Revolution have focused primarily on
value chains. Their use also empowers major crops and staples, to the neglect
indigenous communities (women in of local crop diversity and related
particular), reaffirms people’s identity knowledge, culture and traditions.
by placing a value on traditional food Decades of policies biased towards
and the associated culture, and makes supporting major crops have contributed
agricultural production systems more to the marginalization of NUS, despite
resilient in the face of climate change. their inherent important adaptive and
pro-livelihood features. For these reasons,
countries’ capacity for research on NUS is
Neglected and generally weak (Rudebjer et al. 2013). The
marginalized fact that governments provide subsidies
only for major crops is an illustration of
NUS often suffer from a negative image. the political and economic neglect that
Traditional crops or landraces, local has plagued the development of NUS.
varieties and wild relatives of crops may
be deemed old-fashioned and associated One consequence of the very limited
with the rural poor, particularly in the research support for NUS has been
eyes of newly urbanized populations in a lack of crop improvement. Very few
developing countries, who may prefer NUS are improved but are traditional
modern, exportable or imported food varieties, landraces or ecotypes, or
stuffs. And rural people themselves often are undomesticated, as in the case of
scorn the crops of their ancestors in NUS harvested directly from the wild.
12 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized SpeciesThese local crops are, therefore, largely
conserved not in genebanks, but in situ Kyanika Women’s
Group in Kitui, eastern
or on-farm, thanks to the work of millions
Kenya, conserves local
of farmers who maintain crop genetic landraces of beans and
diversity along with traditional knowledge, other crops.
often on small patches of land and in
home gardens. It is on these small farms
that work to conserve this valuable
genetic heritage must concentrate.
Food security and
resilience of food
systems
Many NUS have the potential to
contribute to food security at local
and regional levels. In an increasingly
globalized and interdependent world,
eradicating hunger is a prerequisite for
peace and world security. If we are to
Yusuf Wachira/Bioversity
feed 9,000 million people in 2050 in a
sustainable way, while at the same time
protecting the environment, providing
healthy and nutritious food for all, and
enhancing the livelihoods of farmers, we
need more diverse agricultural and food
systems.
At the national level, NUS can strengthen Scientific efforts since the Green
a country’s food and buffer economic Revolution have focused primarily
and social shocks that might hit the on major crops and staples, to
population as a result of concentrating
on fewer and fewer crops. Often known
the neglect of local crop diversity
as ‘famine food’, farmers have returned and associated knowledge,
to and relied on NUS throughout history culture and traditions.
whenever major staple crops have failed.
NUS can also provide a safety net during
periods of stress and following disasters
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 13and other emergencies. This was
P.Rudebjer/Bioversity
demonstrated in several Asian countries
following the 2004 tsunami and in West
Africa and other regions following war
and civil strife.
Although NUS characteristically have
lower yields than the main staple crops,
they often compensate for this by being
more resistant to biotic challenges
and providing dependable harvests in
unfavourable climatic conditions or on
difficult soils. This adaptive capacity
is one of the key traits of many NUS.
Student practicing their interviewing
They are often grown in poor areas
skills: nutrition survey in Benin.
where difficult agroecological conditions
predominate, and where smallholder
farmers do not have the means to adopt
the high-input agricultural practices
geared to major staple crops. Farmers
maintain high levels of traditional varietal
The relationship between crop diversity. This provides insurance
diversity, dietary diversity, since traditional varieties are often
best adapted to marginal ecosystems
nutrition and health remains and heterogeneous environments, and
complex and the subject of many, the most resistant to local pests and
often conflicting studies. diseases.
The erosion of agricultural diversity,
especially of NUS, thus has serious
implications for agriculture – the loss of
resilience in the face of climate change,
social and economic shocks and less
ecosystem functionality. Enhancing
diversity by growing alternative food
and forage crops will not only diversify
agroecosystems, but will also improve
their adaptability to extreme climatic
conditions and provide resilience to biotic
14 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Speciesand abiotic stresses (Padulosi et al. 2002). NUS in food security and resilient food
In addition, forests and forest biodiversity systems, since crop diversification is one
provide environmental services, such as of the best ways to ensure sustainable
clean water and carbon sequestration. agricultural production systems. This, in
turn, calls for more reliable seed systems
Examples of these functions have been that allow farmers to exploit the abiotic
recorded in all regions of the world. resistance traits to be found in many
Padulosi et al. (2009) reported that minor NUS.
millets in India, because they have a
short biological cycle and an efficient root
system, have a comparative advantage NUS and nutrition
where water is scarce and rainfall is low. In the Green Revolution and the decades
This, plus the fact that they offer modest that followed, the focus of agricultural
yields from marginal/poor soils with low research was on increasing crop yields
inputs, has made them important in to ensure adequate calories for people
mountain, tribal and hill agriculture. In who would otherwise have gone
Sahelian Africa, diversity in traditional hungry. However, less attention was
varieties of sorghum and pearl millet given to nutritional quality – providing
appear to have been an important a sufficient quantity of food trumped
component of the survival strategies of providing nutritious food. As a result,
poor farmers over the 20-year period diets deficient in essential vitamins and
of drought in Niger and Mali (from the micro-nutrients still persist in many parts
mid 1980s). Diversity was maintained, of the world. Of the world’s estimated
traditional varieties adapted to changing 7,000 million people, 500 million still
environmental conditions and there was suffer from protein-energy malnutrition,
an increase in early maturing types. but over 1,600 million suffer from iron
(Kahane et al. 2012). In many areas, NUS deficiency, over 200 million from vitamin
play an important role in resistance to A insufficiency (WHO 2008, 2009)
pests and diseases. They are likely to be and it has been estimated that over
increasingly important in strategies to 400,000 children die each year from
limit damage by pests and diseases, as effects directly related to zinc deficiency
farmers recognize that crop diversification (HarvestPlus 2011). Underutilized crops
can reduce the frequency and severity of provide essential micro-nutrients and thus
epidemics. complement staple foods. Additionally,
NUS provide flavouring in local cuisine,
Examples such as these, combined with strengthen local gastronomic traditions
growing concerns over climate change and provide income opportunities for
and its impact on agriculture, contribute both the rural and urban poor. Many NUS
to a better appreciation of the role of are high in carotenoids and minerals and
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 15therefore could play a role in helping to species have not yet been adequately
improve the micro-nutrient content in researched, marketed or improved by
the diets of millions of people around the plant breeding.
world.
In countries where urbanization is
Strategies based on diverse local changing the ways of life, green
food crops can provide a valuable and vegetables and fresh fruits are often given
sustainable complement to other means pejorative labels, and are considered
of tackling malnutrition. It is widely to be the food of the poor or suitable
accepted that increased consumption of only for women and children. In many of
locally available indigenous or traditional these countries, researchers find micro-
fruits, vegetables, grains, roots and nutrient deficiencies in populations that
tubers can improve nutrition and increase have achieved sufficient caloric levels
to remove them from the ranks of the
hungry. Increased consumption of NUS of
The transition from traditional fruit and vegetables could help address
diets based on local foods to a such deficiencies.
‘Western-style’ diet, high in fats,
The transition from traditional diets
salt, sugar and processed foods, based on local foods to a ‘Western-
increases the incidence of non- style’ diet, high in fats, salt, sugar and
communicable diseases, such as processed foods, increases the incidence
of non-communicable diseases, such
diabetes, obesity, heart disease
as diabetes, obesity, heart disease
and certain types of cancer. and certain types of cancer. This trend
is global, but is particularly worrying
human productivity (Bala Ravi et al. when combined with poor micro-
2006; Smith and Longvah 2009; Frison nutrition. This ‘hidden hunger’ – enough
et al. 2011; Mayes et al. 2011; Kahane calories, but insufficient vitamins and
et al 2012). However, for many people in minerals – affects both developed and
developing countries fruit and vegetables developing countries, but is increasingly
are difficult to find and afford (Ruel et al. evident in sub-Saharan Africa and
2005), and while fortified food products South Asia. NUS can be effective in
and increased consumption of fish and curbing both food insecurity and hidden
animal products are effective means of hunger, and are particularly useful in
addressing some nutrient deficiencies, improving diets which are too rich in
these products are often out of reach refined carbohydrates and fats. NUS
for the poorest in society. In addition, offer opportunities to enrich diets with
many locally available fruit and vegetable healthier food (particularly legumes, fruits
16 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Speciesand vegetables) in ways that reflect food
culture, besides contributing to making
meals more interesting.
The relationship between crop diversity,
dietary diversity, nutrition and health is
complex and is the subject of many, often
conflicting, studies. One study, carried
S.Padulosi/Bioversity
out in Kenya by Bioversity International,
Save the Children UK and the National
Fruits of the strawberry
Museums of Kenya, examined the role tree (Arbutus unedo) on
of wild NUS in reducing the cost of a sale at a local market in
nutritionally adequate diet. The study Rome, Italy.
found that adding wild foods to the
diet not only lowered the cost, but also
helped meet micro-nutrient requirements, commercially competitive by developing
especially for iron, in women and in improved ‘modern’ varieties. Poor
children between one and two years of competitiveness also stems from lack of
age. It is unlikely that poor households capacity in poor rural areas to negotiate
would be able to afford a nutritionally with the private sector to access the new
balanced diet without wild foods. Wild technologies and markets which would
foods and other NUS, especially those increase the potential demand for these
which are locally available and culturally local crops.
acceptable, would thus seem to be ideally
placed to play a much greater role in Several studies and projects have
improving nutrition and health (Kahane et highlighted the consistent contribution
al. 2012). of NUS to generating income in both
domestic and international markets
(Asaha et al. 2000; Mwangi and Kimathi
NUS, income and 2006; Chadha and Oluoch 2007;
livelihoods Joordan et al. 2007; Rojas et al. 2009).
In India, for example, adding value to
Higher incomes for small-scale farmers little millet enhanced farmers’ incomes
and entrepreneurs are often quoted as three-fold and generated employment
one of the benefits of improving the in villages – particularly for women. This
production and quality of NUS, especially also enhanced women’s social status
high-value crops, such as local fruits and and self-esteem (Vijayalakshmi et al.
vegetables. Strategic interventions to 2010). Internationally, there is a rising
that end will involve making NUS more interest in new foods and other products
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 17which can contribute in novel ways to and are willing to pay for products that
human health and nutrition. This interest support diversity. Higher-value niche
can be exploited to develop markets markets can be developed through
for non-staple crops from which poor strategic placements of NUS in large
communities can benefit, if promotion commercial outlets, such as supermarkets
takes the right approaches. Promoting catering to urban populations and the
niche markets through denomination developing middle-classes. Training
of origin (DO), eco-labelling, fair trade, stakeholders in value chain development
organic, and Slow Food initiatives is important, as is increasing the
(Kahane et al. 2012) may be particularly availability of credit to small producers
useful. and micro-processors. Training will need
to be broad and cover areas such as
Marketing another category of NUS, non- processing, packaging, bookkeeping,
timber forest products (NTFP), received economies of scale, accessing market
considerable attention as a strategy to information (e.g. through channels such
alleviate poverty in forest margin or forest as text messaging on mobile phones),
dwelling communities, particularly during negotiating with different actors and
the 1990s. Because most NTFP have low learning how to respond to market
cash values and are consumed within changes (Kahane et al. 2012).
communities rather than offered for sale,
they provide food, dietary supplements
or income in times of shortage and are an Cultural identity
important safety net. A few NTFP already
have a commercial value, contribute Increasingly it is being recognized that
significantly to rural cash incomes and traditional food systems are intertwined
are entry points for rural development with the cultural identity of indigenous
strategies (Wollenberg and Belcher 2001). peoples. Their knowledge of local
These include rattan and bamboo, resins, ecosystems and food sources has
various fruits and nuts, and medicinal evolved over generations. It is becoming
plants. The FAO, a global leader in clear that conserving traditional food
promoting the sustainable use of NTFP, systems is a powerful way to contribute
estimated that 80% of the populations of toward saving local ecosystems and
developing countries use NTFP to meet food sources as well. While modern
their needs in health and nutrition (FAO agriculture has succeeded in increasing
1998). the yields of staple crops to feed a
burgeoning world population, at the same
Local, national and global markets will time there have been some unintended
be effective in supporting diversity only if consequences with regard to the food
consumers are educated about diversity systems of traditional, indigenous
18 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Speciesfarming systems in many regions of the Support to seed systems for traditional
world. Indigenous populations, those crops is also a priority for many
who “… retain knowledge of the land programmes initiated by international
and food resources rooted in historical aid and scientific organizations. Many
continuity …” (Kuhnlein 2009) have often activities focus on the women in the
faced problems of extreme poverty, communities, as women often play key
discrimination and marginalization. These roles in cultivating, gathering, preparing
problems are accompanied by the loss and storing foods as well as in managing
of the cultural and traditional knowledge the family diet. Often the objective of
associated with their foods and lifestyles these activities is to increase the self-
and in many cases by the disappearance esteem of women and to introduce
of the crops themselves. As Kuhnlein ways of “… lightening the burden of
(2009) has noted, “… traditional food food preparation methods by including
systems … touch the full spectrum of food scientists and engineers in project
life in ways that modern food systems intervention plans.” (Kuhnhein 2009).
do not.” Increasingly sophisticated
agricultural technologies have “… led to
The conservation of traditional food
great disconnections between people and
systems is important among the migrant
their food.”
groups that characterize modern
societies. Many migrants are from
Because of the benefits traditional food
traditional rural communities where off-
systems offer in terms of physical health
farm labour is an important component
and the continuity of cultures, many
of livelihoods and causes individuals to
indigenous groups are actively finding
leave their home villages and regions
ways to combat the loss of their food
in search of work. When transferred to
heritage and their sense of ‘connection to
urban areas, having access to traditional
the land’. These efforts include stemming
foods and methods of preparation is
the loss of the agricultural biodiversity
important in maintaining a connection
on which food systems are based and
with the migrants’ cultural roots and
conserving the local ecosystems on
in fostering cohesion among fellow
which generations of people have based
migrants.
their patterns of living and their traditional
cultures. Also of critical importance
are the many ongoing attempts to
document, before it is lost, the indigenous
knowledge of local plant foods, including
their growth requirements, storage and
other post-harvest needs and methods of
food preparation.
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 19The Museve women’s group:
a partner in Bioversity’s
African Leafy Vegetable
Project, Kenya.
20Status of NUS around the world
Bioversity International recently examined the status of NUS
around the world and the trends in use and conservation based
on the Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture (FAO 2010) and official
country reports.
While the importance of NUS is not Bangladesh and China. Countries that
clear in some countries, including many report good use of NUS include India,
European ones, the analysis concluded Malaysia, Nepal and the Philippines. NUS
that they are increasingly considered are moderately used in Indonesia, Papua
of high to medium importance in most New Guinea and Sri Lanka. To illustrate
countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin the wide range of NUS uses around
America and South and East Asia. Less the world, several boxes in this section
than 15% of all countries surveyed (Boxes 1-5) summarize their economic,
accorded them low importance. The nutritional and social uses in sub-Saharan
status of the conservation of these Africa, Latin America, Europe and western
species is unclear or poor in many Asia.
countries. Only a quarter of the countries
surveyed worldwide reported a good
conservation status of NUS.
Sub-Saharan Africa
In the Côte d’Ivoire a considerable variety
The use of NUS as sources of food, of minor leafy vegetables, legumes
medicine, construction materials and and vegetable crops are used for their
export income is well developed in many appreciated rich nutritional content. In
countries worldwide. In Asia and the Ghana several minor forest and timber
Pacific, for example, 10 countries out of species are gathered from the wild for
P.Maundu/Bioversity
19 report intensive use of NUS, although economic development programmes
use appears to be decreasing in both focusing on housing construction,
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 21sword beans (Canavalia ensiformis) are
Box 1: common food crops. In East Africa, the
Status of NUS in the value of nutritious leafy green vegetables
is increasingly recognized. In Uganda,
Philippines despite neglect by agricultural research
and development programmes, poor
In the Philippines, important policies communities continue to grow and
and projects relating to NUS have been market minor species such as
implemented over the last ten years.
Agricultural statistics released by
the Philippine Bureau of Agricultural
Statistics have listed and classified
the following vegetables and legumes Box 2:
as minor: asparagus, broccoli, carrots,
cauliflower, ginger, gourd, common (field) Status of NUS in
bean, lettuce, okra, Chinese cabbage Uganda
and pak choi. In 2004, 36,354 ha were
devoted to these crops and production
was 351,304 tonne. A base collection Most NUS used at the local level in
was established for seed crops. The Uganda lack documentation that
base collection for coconut species, identifies varieties, but the process of
including minor ones, is maintained by retrieving this information from farmers
the Philippine Coconut Authority, sweet and recording it is now underway. The
potato by the Philippine Root Crop ethno-botanic surveys so far undertaken
Research and Training Center and Manila show that NUS plant diversity, both
hemp by the National Abaca Research wild and cultivated, has contributed
Center. different nutritional components to
people’s diets at low cost. Many local
groups have prepared public awareness
materials which have been extremely
well-received, especially at annual
furniture and export. NUS also provide agricultural shows. Television viewers
food and are exploited for ornamental have been exposed to the issues that
and medicinal use, generating significant underline the value of NUS and how
these relate to the management of
income for some populations in West
natural vegetation and environmental
Africa. The use of some NUS is also
degradation. CONVOL, an American NGO,
significant in Malawi, particularly with has promoted the commercialization of
regard to Bambara groundnut (Vigna Shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa subsp.
subterranea), sorghum, finger millets and nilotica) in the northern, northeast and
pearl millets. In Nigeria, NUS such as northwest districts (Lira, Gulu, Katakwi,
Arua, etc.), in particular by empowering
fonio (Digitaria exilis, D. iburua), Ethiopian
women processors and fruit gatherers.
tef (Eragrotis tef), lima beans (Phaseolus
lunatus), pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) and
22 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized SpeciesVigna subterranea, Crotalaria spp. and
Solanum nigrum. Zimbabwe reports
significant use of NUS, especially finger
and pearl millets.
Latin America
The uses of NUS in Bolivia are diverse
and rely on indigenous knowledge. They
are used for food, drinks, spices and
condiments, stimulants (Erythroxylum
coca), textiles, construction and
medicines. NUS are also heavily used
in Brazil as food and spices, as forage
and timber, as well as for medicines.
NUS generate income for Brazilian
communities through the sale of
products from palm trees. In Chile,
M.V.Zonneveld/Bioversity
NUS are important sources of food
and medicines, and are also used for
industrial purposes. In Cuba they are Farmer Enoc Inocente introduces
food entrepreneur Fernando Dávila,
essential for animal forage, human
of the “Pepperes” company, to
food, drinks, condiments, medicinal and chilli varieties on his farm in Peru.
ornamental purposes, timber, insecticides
and in religious and cultural ceremonies
as ‘magic’ plants. In Guatemala, NUS are
valued in human nutrition and for their
medicinal properties. They also provide While NUS are increasingly
timber that generates income from recognized as an important
international trade. Jamaica NUS supply
component of diets and
the domestic market with food, timber
and aromatic, medicinal and ornamental
livelihoods in many countries in
plants. Jamaica also has established every region of the world, they
international markets for aromatic plants, continue to languish as untapped
root tonics and cosmetic products based
resources in many countries
on NUS. Over the last ten years, Peru
has placed great emphasis on using the
most in need of their benefits.
significant diversity and variability of
NUS, particularly of the many Solanum
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 23varieties. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Box 3: use NUS as food and medicinal plants,
Status of NUS and export herbal remedies derived from
NUS. In Trinidad and Tobago, NUS are
in Brazil used mainly for nutritional purposes and,
therefore, contribute to food security. In
Thanks, in large part, to the introduction Venezuela only a few NUS species, such
of irrigation for NUS and major crops, as celery, yam and Chinese taro, are
Brazil is currently undergoing strong
widely used.
economic growth. Brazil has also been
taking important measures to expand
knowledge of its genetic resources,
including NUS. Local communities Europe
have taken some steps in on-farm
In Georgia, there is significant (although
management of genetic resources
through joint initiatives with the decreasing) use of NUS for domestic
Ministry of Agricultural Development. consumption and also for sale (income
Innovative work has been carried out generation). While NUS are used primarily
by the Brazilian agricultural research for food in Germany, in Poland they are
organization (EMBRAPA – Empresa mainly used for medicinal and aromatic
Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária)
products. NUS have multiple uses
and the Ministry of the Environment in
mapping NUS for food, agriculture and in Romania, and in the Ukraine they
biomedicine. Mapping the occurrence of are used for domestic consumption,
native species and wild relatives is also commercial purposes and breeding
planned. Significant progress has been programmes.
made in the molecular characterization
of NUS. The country has made great
efforts to implement the Convention
on Biological Diversity. Recent decisive
Western Asia
actions include expanding legal Good use is made of NUS in Pakistan,
protection for biodiversity conservation as food or for generating income, and
areas, fostering the sustainable use of
in Turkey, for food security, healthy
genetic resources, which include NUS
nutrition, generating income and,
resources, and advances in the adoption
of policies giving access to and sharing therefore, reducing poverty. Moderate
benefits derived from the use of these and decreasing use is made of NUS
resources. in Yemen but little use is reported in
Uzbekistan. The use of NUS is not clear
in the other countries in the region. In the
face of challenges to the conservation
and use of NUS, research institutions
24 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Speciesand governments are beginning to
recognize opportunities for change, and Box 5:
to implement activities and policies to
protect and promote NUS. In countries as
Status of NUS in
varied as Kenya, Bolivia, Jamaica, Laos Pakistan
and Poland attention is being given to the
opportunities offered by minor medicinal In Pakistan, significant progress has
plants for generating income, alternative been made in collecting and conserving
healthcare and combating environmental germplasm. Since 1996 this has
included mapping, collecting and
degradation.
conserving NUS. An important step in
the ex situ conservation of plant genetic
resources was the establishment
of the National Programme on the
Box 4: Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources
at the National Agricultural Research
Status of NUS in Centre in Islamabad. This institution
Azerbaijan has been able to conserve more than
23,000 accessions of various crops,
including minor and medicinal plants.
In Azerbaijan, economic policy in the The programme is presently executing
agrarian sector is reflected in a number two projects funded by Southampton
of laws, including on the Food Security University and the Agriculture Linkage
Programme, the State Programme Programme of the Pakistan Agricultural
on Poverty Reduction and Economic Research Council. These projects are
Development, and the State Programme concerned mainly with the collection and
for Development of Small and Medium characterization of NUS germplasm.
Entrepreneurship. More than 100
laws, decrees, orders, decisions and
other legal documents were adopted
While NUS are increasingly recognized
1995-2006, although none specifically
addressed NUS. Plans are in place as an important component of diets and
to explore the current state of wild livelihoods in many countries in every
plant diversity and the distribution of region of the world, they continue to
rare, endemic plants threatened with languish as untapped resources in many
extinction nationwide using geographic countries most in need of their benefits.
information systems (GIS). The results
This means that governments, scientists
will contribute to models and systems
for the evaluation of the status of wild and farmers all have roles to play in
crop ancestors and relatives, and the conserving and developing these crops
status of other wild plants used for food, which are so valuable for the future of
as well as to make recommendations for humankind.
the elimination of threats to biodiversity.
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 25Seller of leafy vegetables in
a market in Cairo, Egypt.
26Stories of impact
Investing in NUS pays off. The number of programmes
to upgrade value chains and conserve NUS, disseminate
information about NUS, provide financial and political support
for NUS research, and use diverse media to publicize the
benefits of NUS is growing.
This demonstrates a mounting as amaranth, pumpkin leaves and African
conviction on the part of donor agencies, nightshade contain valuable minerals and
governments, scientists and farmers vitamins6. Vegetables eaten in rural Africa
that promoting and conserving NUS can which are collected rather than grown,
make a significant difference to people’s such as Cleome gynandra, the African
livelihoods, and help fight poverty, hunger spider flower plant, are even richer in iron,
and malnutrition. zinc and β-carotene7. Considering the
hundreds of wild and cultivated species
Improving food and nutrition security: of leafy vegetables in Africa, the scope for
NUS are proven to be strategic allies improving nutritional security by making
in fighting food and nutrition insecurity, more use of these species is huge.
including hidden hunger in Burkina Faso5,
highly nutritious fruits, such as Diospyros Building resilience: Furthermore, NUS
mespiliformis (jackalberry), Balanites play an important part in building resilient
aegyptica (desert date or soap berry production systems. For example, the
tree) and Ziziphus mauritania (jujube), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea),
are eaten regularly. The fruits play an a highly nutritious legume originating
important part in local diets, providing from West Africa and grown throughout
minerals, vitamins, sugar, and minor sub-Saharan Africa, is also drought
proteins and lipids. Leafy vegetables such tolerant. Other drought-tolerant NUS
5
Lamien et al. 2009 6
Ogle and Grivetti 1995; Lyimo et al. 2003
7
Msuya et al. 2009
R.Khalil
Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species 27Box 6:
The IFAD NUS Project
A 10-year project funded by IFAD and Andean grain processors by around Bolivia
coordinated by Bioversity International Bolivano 8,700/per tonne (about USD 1,259/
provides examples of how NUS have become per tonne) for cañahua and Bolivia Bolivano
important in generating income for the poor. 4,500/per tonne (approximately USD 650/
In India, local entrepreneurs who added value per tonne) for amaranth. The higher returns
to minor millets by producing quick-moving, make these crops more attractive to everyone
nutritious millet products derived net incomes along the value chain, including small-scale
ranging from Indian Rupees 15,000 to 45,250 farmers.
(about USD 300 to 950) per tonne. Apart from
enhancing entrepreneurs’ incomes, this also Partnering with the private sector also pays
created work, particularly for women, at the off. A joint venture, between the project in
rate of 140 to 300 person-days per tonne of Bolivia and the coffee-shop chain Alexander
grain. Coffee, helped popularize new snacks and
recipes made from cañahua and amaranth
In India and Nepal, NUS have played a flour among urban dwellers. The popularity
prominent role in empowering women, and of the new products established sustainable,
boosting their self-esteem and self-confidence. long-term horizontal and vertical links along
Other countries involved in the project – Yemen the value chain and had positive impacts on
and Latin American countries – have seen the poor rural farming communities around
similar results. Lake Titicaca which grow these NUS.
In Bolivia, technology introduced through the (Padulosi et al. 2013). See also the IFAD video
project contributed to raising incomes among http://bit.ly/10z2giW
are the minor millets, a group of coarse Generating income: NUS show potential
cereals used particularly in South Asia in both domestic and international
that are also nutritionally important. markets. Several studies and projects,
Cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule), an including the IFAD NUS Project (Box 6),
underutilized Andean grain, is remarkably have demonstrated this. Another project
frost tolerant compared with quinoa supported by IFAD, the Oxfam-Italia
(Chenopodium quinoa), a widely grown Project, promoted and commercialized
Andean grain. NUS. The project had positive effects
28 Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized SpeciesYou can also read
