Danny Hunter1, Teresa Borelli2, Daniela M O Beltrame3, Camila N S Oliveira3, Lidio Coradin3, Victor W Wasike4, Lusike Wasilwa4, John Mwai5, Aurillia Manjella2, Gamini W L Samarasinghe6, Terrence Madhujith7, Harshani V H Nadeeshani7, Ayfer Tan8, Saadet Tuğrul Ay9, Nurcan Güzelsoy10, Nina Lauridsen2, Eliot Gee2, Florence Tartanac11. 1. Bioversity International, via dei Tre Denari 472/a, 00054, Rome, Italy. D.Hunter@cgiar.org. 2. Bioversity International, via dei Tre Denari 472/a, 00054, Rome, Italy. 3. Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Project, Ministry of the Environment, SEPN 505, Norte, Bloco "B", CEP 70.730-542, Brasília, Brazil. 4. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Nairobi, Kenya. 5. Human Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya. 6. Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Gannoruwa, P.O. Box 59, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 7. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 8. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Izmir, Turkey. 9. Bati Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Antalya, Turkey. 10. Central Research Institute of Food and Feed Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Bursa, Turkey. 11. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION: Nutrient-rich neglected and underutilized plant species could help transform food systems, provided science and policy are better connected, and greater coordination exists among the diverse stakeholders working with these species. Why have our food systems come to rely on such a narrow range of plant species of limited nutritional value? Today three staple crops (rice, maize and wheat) account for more than 50% of calories consumed while we continue to disregard the huge diversity of nutrient-rich plant species utilized by humanity throughout our history. The reasons for this situation are complex and challenging. Creative approaches are required to ensure greater integration of these plant species in agriculture and food systems, and ultimately greater food diversity on our plates and in our diets. This paper presents an overview of the nutritional value of select neglected and underutilized species (NUS) before describing in detail the work undertaken in four mega-diverse countries-Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey-to increase the knowledge, appreciation, awareness and utilization of this nutrient-rich biodiversity encompassing both orphan crops and wild edible plant species. The paper highlights the novel and ingenious approaches these countries have used to prioritize a rich diversity of NUS for healthier diets and improved nutrition, and how this knowledge has been used to mainstream these plant species into production and consumption systems, including linking NUS to school meals and public food procurement, dietary guidelines and sustainable gastronomy. The paper concludes with some perspectives on the way forward for NUS and the community working on them (including researchers, universities and government agencies, national ministries, municipalities, producers, and civil society) in meeting the challenges of malnutrition and environmental sustainability in the 2030 sustainable development context.
MAIN CONCLUSION: Nutrient-rich neglected and underutilized plant species could help transform food systems, provided science and policy are better connected, and greater coordination exists among the diverse stakeholders working with these species. Why have our food systems come to rely on such a narrow range of plant species of limited nutritional value? Today three staple crops (rice, maize and wheat) account for more than 50% of calories consumed while we continue to disregard the huge diversity of nutrient-rich plant species utilized by humanity throughout our history. The reasons for this situation are complex and challenging. Creative approaches are required to ensure greater integration of these plant species in agriculture and food systems, and ultimately greater food diversity on our plates and in our diets. This paper presents an overview of the nutritional value of select neglected and underutilized species (NUS) before describing in detail the work undertaken in four mega-diverse countries-Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey-to increase the knowledge, appreciation, awareness and utilization of this nutrient-rich biodiversity encompassing both orphan crops and wild edible plant species. The paper highlights the novel and ingenious approaches these countries have used to prioritize a rich diversity of NUS for healthier diets and improved nutrition, and how this knowledge has been used to mainstream these plant species into production and consumption systems, including linking NUS to school meals and public food procurement, dietary guidelines and sustainable gastronomy. The paper concludes with some perspectives on the way forward for NUS and the community working on them (including researchers, universities and government agencies, national ministries, municipalities, producers, and civil society) in meeting the challenges of malnutrition and environmental sustainability in the 2030 sustainable development context.
Authors: Colin K Khoury; Anne D Bjorkman; Hannes Dempewolf; Julian Ramirez-Villegas; Luigi Guarino; Andy Jarvis; Loren H Rieseberg; Paul C Struik Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2014-03-03 Impact factor: 11.205
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