Neglected and underutilized crop

Neglected and underused crops are domesticated plant species that have been used for centuries for their food, fibre, fodder, oil or medicinal properties, but have become less important over time. There are many other terms to describe these crops. Usually, these crops are underused, because there are other, similar crops that have better properties, such as a longer shelf life.  Their nutritional value may be unrecognized. Sometimes, they may also have an image problem: They may be seen as famine food, or "poor people's food". Sometimes, they have become neglected, because the way agriculture is done has changed. Some crops have been neglected so much that genetic erosion  of their gene pool has become so severe that they are often seen as lost crops.

The demand that certain crops have a given set of properties changes over time.  To be able to cope with climate change, it may be necessary to have crops which are better adapted to the climate in which they are grown. Many neglected crops have been reconsidered, because they have useful properties. Examples are oil palm, soybean, and  kiwifruit. They used to be neglected, and are now grown worldwide. That way, many species can contribute to food security, or a more varied diet. They may also be better for health.

It is often difficult to increase the production of these crops, and to make them suitable for large-scale agriculture. Nevertheless, may of these sepcies can contribute to food security. They can also provide for a more varied diet and be good for nutrition. Finally they can provide environmental services.

For people who are allergic, or who cannot use the regular crop for other reasons, such crops can be an alternative. People may also  prefer them for an active and healthy life,  especially during famine.

Just three crops - maize, wheat and rice - account for about 50% of the world's consumption of calories and protein. About 95% of the world's food needs are provided by just 30 species of plants. In contrast, at least 12,650 species names have been called edible. Neglected and underutilized plants are those that could be - and, in many cases, historically have been - used for food and other uses on a larger scale.

Such crop species have also been described as "minor", "orphan", "promising" and "little-used".

 Examples 
Researchers do not agree on when a crop is underutilized or neglected. In that context, neglected means that the crop hasn't seen much interest from research and development; politicians and lawyers did little to support the conservation of the crop.

Underutilisation means that the crop isn't used very much, in a particular geographic area. The crop can contribute to better diets, or better ways of production. Just because it is little used in one geographic area does not necessarily mean that this is the case for other geographic areas.

 Related pages 
 Food security
 Heirloom plant
 Slow Food
 Subsistence farming

 References 

 Other websites 
 Crops for the Future 
 NUS Database Asia
 NewCROP the New Crop Resource Online Program
 NUS Community - Bioversity International
 CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas

Category:Agriculture