Achievements of the IFAD-NUS project (2001–2005) Framework for its follow-up initiative (2007–2009) no more Neglected
Achievements of the IFAD-NUS project (2001–2005) Framework for its follow-up initiative (2007–2009)
no moreNeglected
2
Intr
oduc
tion
a b c
Front cover pictureWomen farmers, Kholli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India (S. Padulosi)
This programme was
successfully completed
four years later, laying
the groundwork for a
three-year follow-up
programme,
Empowering the rural
poor by strengthening
their identity, income opportunities and nutritional
security through the improved use and marketing of
neglected and underutilized species, which started in
2007. The foundation for these studies is a firmly
held and increasingly recognized belief that
biodiversity is important for people's lives, and that
one way of protecting biodiversity is by supporting
the use and appreciation of plant species that are
currently neglected and underutilized.
Introduction
Picturesa. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), (S. Padulosi)
b. Women farmers, Kholli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India (S. Padulosi)
c. Nursery of aromatic plants in El Arish, Egypt (S. Padulosi)
d. Nigella flowers (Nigella sativa), (S. Padulosi)
In 2001, with financial backing from the International Fund forAgricultural Development (IFAD), Bioversity International started aprogramme called Enhancing the contribution of neglected andunderutilized species to food security and to incomes of the rural poor.
d
3In
trod
uctio
n
Why biodiversity is important
Biodiversity—or biological diversity—is the sum of all the species thatexist, their interactions and the ecosystems they form. It is the basis forfood, fodder, fibre, fuel, pharmaceuticals and many other products andservices that contribute to the wellbeing of all the inhabitants of our planet.
Cultural traditions and
religious beliefs are
intimately tied to
biodiversity, and
biodiversity-based
food culture is part of
the identity of
communities around
the world. Security,
resilience, social
relations, and freedom of choice and action are other
non-material benefits associated with biodiversity.
These benefits are, however, far from being fully
enjoyed by all people. Many regions in Africa, Asia
and Latin America are still deprived of the basic
infrastructure and know-how needed to make
biodiversity useful to them. Furthermore, the
biodiversity basket that the world relies on is
shrinking, constituting one of the greatest concerns
of our time.
Although there are some 7000 edible species
recorded today, only a very small number of these
are used on a large scale because of the
predominance of a handful of commodity crops,
such as maize and rice. Globalization and changes in
lifestyle, accompanied by the standardization of diets
and food cultures, are converting humankind's
centuries-old culinary heritage, which is based on
biodiversity, into a mere curiosity. Biodiversity-rich
dishes, whose vitamins and micronutrients are
strategic for nutritional security and for reducing the
incidence of obesity and cardiovascular disease, are
being replaced by foods rich in energy but poor in
nutritional elements. For millions of people,
particularly the poor, the current erosion of their
food culture is dramatically reducing income
opportunities and diet-related sustainability options.
In 2005, an Assessment Study was conducted to
evaluate the progress made in meeting the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); it
confirmed an increasing incidence of hidden hunger,
which is largely caused by simplified diets,
particularly among the poor. Genetic erosion is also
associated with loss of cultural values and beliefs, to
the detriment of local identity and self-esteem; the
safeguarding of these values is critical for reinforcing
development initiatives among the poor.
Mobilizing biodiversity, in particular species that
have been overlooked by research and development
(R&D) interventions, is a powerful way of giving
visibility and voice to the socio-economic groups that
rely on these species, and in doing so strengthening
the role of these groups in decision making, fighting
nutritional insecurity and poverty, and reducing
the silent cultural impoverishment that affects the
world today.
4
Why
bio
dive
rsity
is im
port
ant
a
Picturesa. Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) in Congo (S. Padulosi)
b. School children from Karnataka State, India (S. Padulosi)
Cultural traditions and religious beliefs are intimatelytied to biodiversity
5W
hy b
iove
rsity
is im
port
ant
b
www.bioversityinternational.org
Neglected and underutilized species
Challenges Poor R&D
attention: NUS were
ignored by policy
makers and R&D
agendas during
the Green Revolution,
which focused
exclusively on major
crops. Today, the forces
of globalization are further exacerbating the
process of marginalization of local biodiversity.
Poor capacity: For the successful promotion of
these species, many countries need to strengthen
the capacity of the diverse actors that participate
in the value chain for cultivating, processing,
commercializing and promoting NUS.
Poor conservation: In most gene banks, NUS
have been poorly sampled, conserved and
characterized, which limits the possibilities of
improving these crops through breeding and
agronomic enhancement.
Lack of seed: NUS are characterized by non-
existent or very fragile seed supply systems.
Poor image: The low-status image of many of
these species represents a handicap for promotional
campaigns and makes them vulnerable to neglect in
times of socio-economic change.
Poor marketing: NUS are sold primarily in local
markets, where their products are often
characterized by poor quality and competitiveness.
Poor value chains: All too often NUS suffer
from non-existent or poorly organized value
chains, which make their commercialization
inefficient and unsustainable.
Poor information: Lack of precise data on the
extent of cultivation and use of NUS is an obstacle
for those interested in their promotion.
OpportunitiesNutritional value: NUS comprise a vast portfolio
of thousands of species that can play a strategic
role in boosting nutritional security and providing
diversity-rich food with essential micronutrients.
Source of diversification: NUS can be valuable
elements in agricultural diversification strategies
aimed at strengthening the income-generation
possibilities of rural households and forest dwellers.
High adaptation: NUS hold a comparative
advantage over commodity crops in terms of their
high adaptation to a range of agro-ecological
niches, marginal lands and low-input systems.
They comprise landraces, ecotypes and wild
species, which have the advantage of producing
well in areas where other crops would have poor
yields or would fail completely. This is an
important consideration in risk-mitigation
strategies for local communities.
Self-reliance: NUS are of special interest
in strategies for supporting self-reliance in
countries that aim to reduce the importation of
agricultural products.
Tradition: In the hands of the poor, NUS
represent a diverse, unique cultural asset and
make an important contribution to keeping
community traditions alive at the local and
regional levels.
Local knowledge and self-esteem: The fact
that the cultivation and use of these species draws
on rich indigenous knowledge (IK) makes them
ideal instruments for promoting the maintenance
of the knowledge, identity and self-esteem of
local communities.
Health: NUS are widely used for the preparation
of locally accessible and affordable medicines.
Flavouring: NUS offer a vast array of aromas and
fragrances for the preparation of traditional foods,
6
Neg
lect
ed a
nd u
nder
utiliz
ed s
peci
es
There are diverse challenges that must be addressed by research anddevelopment efforts to promote the maintenance and use of neglectedand underutilized species (NUS). At the same time, the rich opportunitiesthey represent constitute an important source of motivation.
a
7
Neg
lect
ed a
nd u
nder
utiliz
ed s
peci
es
thereby contributing to safeguarding typical
regional recipes, which are often featured as
important attractions in eco-tourism activities.
Today, farmers cultivate NUS less than in the past
because they are not economically competitive with
the crops that have come to dominate the world
food supply, which are supported by seed supply
systems, production and post-harvest technologies,
and extension services. In order to bring NUS back
into viable cultivation, or to stem their loss, it is
important to develop their competitive edge. New
markets, such as those that respond to innovative
food and lifestyle trends, must be discovered; new
opportunities, such as rural tourism, must be
explored; better policy frameworks—for instance to
support nutritionally-rich species, adapted to hardy
environments—must be developed; and investments
must be made to develop better production and
post-harvest technologies.
c d
In most genebanks, NUS havebeen poorly sampled, conservedand characterized, which limits thepossibilities of improving thesecrops through breeding andagronomic enhancement.
Picturesa. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) in Turkey (A. Karagöz)
b. Quince (Cydonia oblonga), (S. Padulosi)
c. Planting finger millet in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India (S. Padulosi)
d. Diversity in pomegranate (Punica granatum) from Turkmenistan (S. Padulosi)
b
1996 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) International
Conference and Programme for Plant Genetic
Resources, in preparation for the International
Technical Conference on Plant Genetic
Resources, provided unprecedented visibility
to underutilized species, dedicating a specific
activity of the Global Plan of Action for Plant
Genetic Resources to their promotion.
The FAO State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture depicted a
disquieting situation with regard to the
conservation of non-commodity crops
(including underutilized species), noting that
these were very poorly represented in the 300
ex situ gene banks and collections surveyed
for the report.
1998 A panel of experts gathered in Florence, Italy
to discuss the development of a List of Species
that would serve as an alternative to Annex I
of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources; they made a specific
recommendation to include underutilized
species on this list.
1999 The IFAD-supported Workshop on Enlarging
the Basis of Food Security: Role of
Underutilized Species, held in Chennai, India
at the M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation (MSSRF), attracted great interest
from the Centres and donors of the
Consultative Groups for International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
2001 The Global Forum on Agricultural Research
endorsed the need to assist national
programmes in promoting NUS. In response,
the German Government approved support
for a newly established Global Facilitation
Unit for Underutilized Species (see box).
Increasing international recognition
8 In
crea
sing
inte
rnat
iona
l rec
ogni
tion
In reviewing the IFAD-supported work on NUS, it is important tonote that over the past ten years there have been significantinstances of international acknowledgement and promotion of thecontribution of these species to our global fight against nutritionalinsecurity, poverty and environment degradation.
The Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized
Species (GFU) is an initiative of the Global
Forum on Agricultural Research, the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural
Development, Bioversity International and the
International Centre for Underutilised Crops. It
is funded by the German Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ) and based at the headquarters of
Bioversity International in Rome. GFU was set
up in 2002 to encourage wider deployment of
underutilized species globally. It supports
networks, organizations and others working on
underutilized plant species by providing access
to up-to-date information; formulating
recommendations to policy makers for the
amendment of national and international
policies to create an enabling environment for
these species; and increasing public awareness
of the role of underutilized species in
improving the livelihoods of poor people.
The World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC)
Strategy for 2001-2010 emphasized the
important role of the diversity of indigenous
and underutilized vegetables in ensuring
better nutrition, health and incomes.
Bioversity International published a Strategic
Action Plan for NUS.
The global initiative on NUS, Enhancing the contribution of neglected and underutilized speciesto food security and to incomes of the rural poor(TAG 533), was approved for funding by
IFAD, representing the first truly worldwide
effort in support of these species.
2004 At the 7th Meeting of the Conference of Parties
to the Convention on Biological Diversity, a
recommendation of the Subsidiary Body on
Scientific Technical and Technological Advice
(SBSTTA) was endorsed, calling for greater
efforts with NUS in order to strengthen food
security and improve human nutrition.
SBSTTA emphasized capacity building at
numerous levels to support the use and
enhancement of NUS.
2005 The global Horticulture Assessment,
commissioned by USAID, stressed the
importance of underutilized crops in
contributing to the revitalization of the
crisis-ridden developing country
agricultural sector.
The CGIAR published its research priorities
for 2005-2015, giving high visibility to
underutilized species (identified as
Underutilized Plant Genetic Resources,
UPGR) under System Priority 1b, Promotion, conservation and characterization of underutilized plant genetic resources to increase the income of the poor and Priority 3a, Increasing income from fruit and vegetables (many vegetables are, in
fact, considered underutilized species). In
addition, underutilized species are dealt with
indirectly in Priority 3d, Sustainable income generation from forests and trees and Priority 4d,
Sustainable agro-ecological intensification in low- and high-potential environments. Because the
emergence of niche and high-value markets
for underutilized crops provides a potential
pathway out of poverty for farmers in
developing countries, UPGR also are
relevant to Priority 5b, Making international and domestic markets work for the poor.
Some 100 R&D experts and policy makers
from 25 countries took part in an international
consultation organized at MSSRF. This
meeting represented a major milestone in the
efforts to increase support for agricultural
biodiversity, including NUS. The consultation,
jointly organized by Bioversity International,
GFU and MSSRF and co-financed by IFAD,
discussed the ways in which biodiversity can
help the world to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals, in particular the goal of
securing freedom from hunger and poverty.
The consultation resulted in the preparation
of the Chennai Platform for Action, which
emphasizes the importance of NUS and calls
on policy makers to promote specific
interventions in their support.
2006 Two international workshops were held, in
Sri Lanka and Kenya, jointly organized by the
International Centre for Underutilised Crops
(ICUC),1 GFU and Bioversity International.
These workshops contributed to the
development of a strategic R&D framework
for underutilized species.
The International Society for Horticultural
Science (ISHS) established a Working Group
on Underutilized Species, constituting the
latest recognition by the scientific community
of the role played by NUS in improving
people's livelihoods, as well as the need for
greater synergy and increased efforts to
support them.
1
ICUC is a research, development and training organization. It
provides expertise and acts as a knowledge hub for tropical, sub-
tropical and temperate plant development. Since its inception, ICUC
has supported research on national priorities for germplasm
collections and on agronomy and post-harvest methodology for
underutilized species; it has also supported associated scientific
conferences and training events. ICUC has been instrumental in the
founding of several professional crop-based and regional networks.
9
Incr
easi
ng in
tern
atio
nal r
ecog
nitio
n
a
Picturesa. Yemeni children (S. Padulosi)
Achievements of the IFAD-NUS global project
This effort, coordinated
by Bioversity
International, represents
the first UN-supported,
truly global initiative to
promote NUS. As such,
it has contributed to
raising the visibility of
these species at the
national and
international levels and constitutes the most
comprehensive effort to date to enhance their use. It
also created an unprecedented opportunity for the
cross-regional exchange of experience, thanks to the
diverse range of partners involved (from the Andean
region to South Asia) and to the multi-stakeholder
participation in the project (scientists, NGOs,
universities, research organizations, regional
networks, farmers' associations, women's
associations and private companies).
The project worked to enhance the use of a number
of priority species, including Andean grains (Bolivia,
Ecuador and Peru), nutritious millets (India and
Nepal), and medicinal and aromatic plants (Egypt
and Yemen). This initiative comprised a wide
spectrum of activities, including assessment and
maintenance of diversity, selection of better varieties,
improvement of processing, value-addition,
enhancement of supply chains, influencing policy
makers and building public awareness.
As highlighted by an independent IFAD evaluation
carried out in November 2005, the project was
particularly successful in:
working with farming communities
securing and making available the diversity of
target species
improving agronomic practices
reducing drudgery in processing
adding value to products (e.g., avoiding
nutritional degradation and expanding the range
of palatable dishes)
conducting training and building capacity among
stakeholder groups
fostering the establishment of grassroots consortia
(e.g., self-help groups and cooperatives)
creating links among the various actors in the
value chains
raising awareness at the local, national and
international levels
The following table summarizes the outputs and
impact of the IFAD-NUS global project.
10
Ach
ieve
men
ts o
f the
IFA
D-N
US
glo
bal p
roje
ct
The role played by the IFAD-NUS project Enhancing the contributionof neglected and underutilized species to food security and toincomes of the rural poor, implemented from 2001 to 2005, hasbeen strategic for a number of reasons.
a
This effort, coordinated byBioversity International,represents the first UN-supported, truly global initiative to promote NUS.
Outputs Impact
11
Ach
ieve
men
ts o
f the
IFA
D-N
US
glo
bal p
roje
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c d
Picturesa. Germplasm of Andean grains safeguarded at the PROINPA’s gene
bank in Bolivia (S. Padulosi)
b. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), (S. Padulosi)
c. Stakeholder meeting in Bolivia (E. Carrasco)
d. Nutritious millet grains (S. Padulosi)
b
More than 670 accessions of target species
collected from wild or cultivated sources
Numerous community-based conservation
gardens established in Ecuador
Ex situ conservation facilities upgraded in
Bolivia, Ecuador (two municipal gene banks
established), Peru, India, Nepal and Yemen
More than 21 biodiversity fairs organized and
‘champion farmers,’ who maintain high degrees
of diversity on their farms, recognized
More than 6,300 accessions of target species
material regenerated and multiplied in
gene banks
Lost varieties reintroduced to farmers (e.g., 30
varieties of quinoa and nine of lupin in
Ecuador; five high yielding local varieties of
amaranth in Peru)
Self-help groups established and strengthened
in India to safeguard diversity and seed used by
the community; agreements reached with local
communities in Peru to dedicate land to on-
farm conservation of the unique diversity of
local amaranth
Collection, characterization and conservation of diversity and indigenous knowledge
Species safeguarded and material provided for
crop improvement
Sustainable conservation of local varieties
supported and their use promoted locally
Safeguarding of target species improved
Exchange of varieties among farmers promoted
Use of gene bank material by farmers and user
groups facilitated
Unique and valuable genetic resource base of
target species reconstructed in local communities
On-farm conservation strengthened
continued on next page
Outputs Impact
12
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Microcentres of diversity of Andean grainsidentified in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru; maps elaborated
Core collections of Andean grains developed
Descriptor list of cañahua developed
More than 1,500 accessions characterized and evaluated for agro-morphological and market traits
Farmer visits to gene banks organized
Guidance for conservation of local diversity andstrategies for its use provided
Use of diversity maintained in ex situcollections facilitated
Use of species facilitated through a betterunderstanding of genetic diversity
Appreciation of market traits of target diversity improved
Gaps between conservation of diversity in exsitu collections and its use bridged
Selection and dissemination of improved material to farmers
From more than 4,000 samples of target species, six sweet quinoa lines and two highyielding varieties of amaranth selected inEcuador; three superior varieties of fingermillet, yielding 34 percent more than localmaterial, selected in India
More than 1.7 tonnes of seed of Andean grains,more than 2 tonnes of finger millet and some140,000 seedlings of aromatic plantsdisseminated to farmers in Bolivia, India andEgypt respectively
Participatory selection and introduction ofgermplasm strengthened
Distribution of planting material to users improved
Documentation of uses, enhancement of market opportunities,commercialization and income generation
Diversity catalogues on quinoa and amaranth developed
Studies of nutritional composition of target species conducted
Surveys of the commercialization of target species conducted
Market system of target crops studied
Use of gene bank material by farmers and otheruser groups facilitated
Understanding of the contribution of Andeangrains and minor millets to the diets of theurban and rural poor improved
Understanding of the constraints andopportunities for commercialization of targetspecies improved
Understanding of value chains of species andtheir products, and of how to enhance the roleof actors in a fair and equitable way, improved
Picturesa. Winnowing finger millet in India (S.Padulosi)
b. A selected variety of foxtail from India (S.Padulosi)
c. Traditional pounding of millet in India (S.Padulosi)
a
b
Outputs Impact
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Three manuals for growers of Andean grains produced
Manual for women on adding value tomedicinal and aromatic plants produced in Yemen
More than 100 courses and workshopsorganized on nutrition, improved cultivation,processing, value addition and marketingmethods, benefiting more than 1,000 people,including householders
Jointly with the Egyptian Ministry ofAgriculture, a greenhouse capable of producingmore than 150,000 MAP seedlings established inEl-Arish, Sinai
More than 200 students trained and at least 15undergraduate and graduate research thesesrealized on topics related to enhancing the use oftarget species and contributing to strengtheningNARS capacity to deal with NUS
Recipe books on food preparations published
Study of processing technologies at the familyand enterprise levels conducted; affordablemachines for threshing, decortication andmilling of Andean grains and finger millet bysmall enterprises and households developed
Alternative use of target species promoted,including novel food products (snacks, drinksand organic products) and non-food products(natural colouring agents)
Analyses of quality standards in marketingtarget crops conducted
Links along the value chain promoted
Efficiency of species cultivation by communitymembers enhanced
Use and empowerment of women's groups inmarketing local resources enhanced
Capacity of actors in the value chain improved
Capacity to provide planting material to localfarmers enhanced
Knowledge of potential use of NUS enhanced
Use of target species promoted and benefits from their nutritional properties enhanced
Efficiency in processing improved
Economic returns to local communities from useof target species enhanced
Marketing of species and products enhanced
Farmers' linkages to markets for target crops improved
Policy improvement and increased awareness
New standards for cultivation of Andean grains
developed and adopted in Bolivia; new
standards for processing and commercialization
of lupin developed and submitted for approval
in Ecuador
Several seminars on national policies conducted
Community-based displays of crop diversity
organized (46 in Ecuador and more than 200 in
44 villages in India)
Commercialization enhanced through higherquality of produce
Greater awareness of the nutritional role of Andean grains and minor millets generatedamong policy-makers
Awareness of the diversity of target crops andassociated opportunities for using themimproved at the community level
c
continued on next page
Outputs Impact
14
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Several recipe books and pamphlets published
in target countries
Workshops, courses, videos, radio programmes,
articles in the national/international media—in
national and local languages—realized in all
partner countries
Conference for policy makers held in Chennai,
India (2005)
Use of Andean grains and millets promoted
Awareness of the contribution of target species
to nutrition and income generation improved
among stakeholder groups
Awareness improved among senior policy
makers; major international action platform
launched to promote greater use of biodiversity
and nutritionally rich NUS in addressing MDGs
Policy improvement and increased awareness
Picturesa. Post harvest technology for Andean grains (W. Rojas)
b. Grinding machine used by a self-help group in Orissa State,
India (S. Padulosi)
The project has contributed to raising the visibility of these species at the nationaland international levels andconstitutes the mostcomprehensive effort to dateto enhance their use.
a
15
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www.bioversityinternational.org
Although this work has
been successful, further
efforts are needed to
consolidate its
outcomes and to create
an effective and widely
applicable tool to
support NUS
worldwide. A follow-up
project, with IFAD as
the lead funding agency, began in 2007; it is designed
to ensure the realization of the full potential of NUS
in improving income generation, increasing
sustainable production and ensuring better nutrition
among rural communities.
GoalThis new project aims to contribute to empowering
the rural poor, and to raising incomes and
strengthening the identity and food security of small
farmers and rural communities worldwide, by
making full use of the genetic and cultural diversity
represented by NUS.
ObjectivesThe objectives of the new global project on NUS are:
1. to increase the contribution of NUS to improved
livelihoods by enhancing stakeholder capacity in
value-adding technologies, sharing best practices
for the promotion of local biodiversity (at both
inter-and intra-specific levels), and improving the
marketing of target species and products
2. to identify the contribution of key species to
dietary diversity and improved nutrition,
particularly among children and expectant women
3. to strengthen the contribution of NUS to
sustainable agricultural production by promoting
their integration within a greater range of
production systems, thereby ensuring more
effective use of these species and improved
maintenance of their diversity
4. to develop methodologies and approaches for the
management of tourism activities by local
communities, with a focus on safeguarding local
NUS-associated cultural identity and genetic
resource assets
5. to support the development of multi-sectoral
enabling policies at the national and international
levels, including the provision of relevant data to
policy makers, and to strengthen collaboration
among institutions working on NUS
Target beneficiaries The project is expected to directly or indirectlybenefit a wide range of stakeholders:
DirectSmall farmers, resource-poor
entrepreneurs, processors and actors in NUS supply chains will benefit from the availability of
better varieties and improved cultivation
techniques for less favoured and marginal areas;
access to profitable value-adding techniques;
enhanced quality; sustainable supply and
demand; and greater efficiency of market systems.
Links to other international and national projects
will provide access to scaling-up methods and
approaches, for their adaptation and adoption in
new areas.
Community members and marginalized groups will enjoy greater self-esteem as a result
of capacity development interventions; these, in
turn, will promote participation in existing and
emerging market and tourism opportunities.
A new global project on NUS
16
A n
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loba
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on
NU
S
The IFAD-NUS project has contributed to promoting research inand use of selected neglected and underutilized species in targetcountries, as well as to raising awareness of the need forincreased R&D at the national and international levels.
a
Emphasis will be placed on empowering women
through the creation of employment
opportunities, development of skills and
promotion of increased access to training.
Consumers will have increased access to
nutritionally rich foods and dietary diversity,
resulting in overall improvements in health. In
particular, children, the elderly and women—the
groups most vulnerable to micronutrient
deficiencies—will benefit from the increased
availability of micronutrient-rich foods resulting
from the expanded use of NUS.
Research and academic institutions will
benefit from enhanced capacity and information
in the field of NUS thanks to the availability of
approaches, methodologies, research tools and
protocols. MSc research theses and other training
activities linked to project activities will also
contribute to improved research capacity.
Government departments dealing with
agriculture and public health will benefit from
the scope of the project in terms of species
coverage and tools generated, and from the policy
proposals it will generate.
Indirect Local institutions in the target countries will
be enabled, through increased awareness,
capacity and transfer of technology, to act as
multipliers of the promoted technologies and
approaches among their communities.
The private sector will benefit from novel
business opportunities generated or strengthened
by the greater use of NUS and their products, as
well as by the increased demand for these.
The international community will enjoy
access to public goods, including enhanced food
species, methodologies, research protocols,
technologies and other project deliverables.
Project componentsThe primary partner countries will be Bolivia, Peru,
Yemen and India. Other countries interested in the
selected crops (or in other NUS facing similar
challenges) will participate as secondary partners,
recipients and users of project deliverables. The
participation of African partners in the programme
will be ensured through collaboration with an
international project on fonio (Digitaria exilis) in West
Africa (awaiting approval of funding), the Bioversity
International-AVRDC Challenge Programme
activities on horticultural crops in Sub-Saharan
Africa (currently being implemented in Malawi and
Mozambique) and the IFAD PROFIL project in
Burkina Faso (under development).
Activities will be undertaken in pilot sites located in
the main partner countries and/or carried out
through global initiatives. These are grouped under
eight areas of focus:
Area 1: Assessment and enhancement of income generation based on NUS
Area 2: Assessment of the nutritional values of NUS and development of strategies for their enhanced use in nutrition programmes
Area 3: Enhancement of human and social capital of various stakeholder groups to manage NUS and derive benefits from their use, combined with strengthening of local identity
Area 4: Exploring the role of rural tourism in promoting NUS
Area 5: Improvement of availability, knowledge and maintenance of the genetic resource base
Area 6: Promoting better policies and legal frameworks for the sustainable and equitable use of NUS
Area 7: Promoting cooperation in NUS management and raising awareness of the importance of NUSto livelihoods
Area 8: Mobilization of support and fundraising for NUS activities
The project will strengthen the commitment of
Bioversity International to supporting NUS at the
global level. The methodologies, technologies and
approaches developed to date and refined through
this new project will be disseminated through
publications, workshops, training, web pages and
manuals. The dissemination vehicles for these public
goods will also include strategic partnerships with
key international actors such as GFU, the
Cooperation for Development Department of the
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICUC,
Wageningen International (the Netherlands), the
NGOs Movimondo and UCODEP (Unità eCooperazione per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli, Italy), the
World Tourism Organization (through the initiative it
supports on Sustainable Tourism-Eliminating
Poverty), the Congressional Mickey-Leland Hunger
Fellowship Programme (USA), and the CGIAR's
System-Wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP)
and Genetic Resources Policy Initiative (GRPI).
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Picturesa. Farmer with improved variety of finger millet (Eleusine coracana),
(S. Padulosi)
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NUS examples from around the world Species Common name Primary (local) use Region of main use
Adansonia digitata Baobab Fruit, leafy vegetable Africa Aegle marmelos Bael Fruit Asia Amaranthus spp. Amaranth Vegetable Africa, Asia, Latin AmericaAnnona squamosa Custard apple Fruit Africa, Latin America Argania spinosa Argan tree Oil crop, cosmetics Africa Artemisia annua Artemisia Medicinal Asia, EuropeArtemisia dracunculus Estragon Vegetable, spice Asia, EuropeArtocarpus heterophyllus Jackfruit Fruit AsiaBactris gasipaes Peach palm Fruit Latin America Basella rubra Ceylon spinach Vegetable AsiaBorago officinalis Borage Vegetable, medicinal EuropeBoscia coriacea Boscia Vegetable, medicinal Africa Campanula rapunculus Rampion Vegetable EuropeCanarium indicum Nangai nut Nut AsiaCarissa edulis Natal plum Fruit Africa Carum carvi Caraway Spice Asia, Europe Ceratonia siliqua Carob, locust bean Fruit Africa, Europe Cichorium intybus Chicory Vegetable Asia, Europe Chenopodium quinoa Quinoa Cereal Latin AmericaChoerospondias axillaris Lapsi Fruit AsiaCleome gynandra Cat's whiskers Vegetable AfricaCoriandrum sativum Coriander Spice Africa, Asia, Europe Corchorus olitorius Jute Vegetable, fibre crop Africa, Asia, EuropeCornus mas Cornelian cherry Fruit EuropeCrataegus monogyna Hawthorne Fruit, medicinal Asia, Europe Cydonia oblonga Quince Fruit Asia, Europe Digitaria exilis Fonio Cereal Africa Eleagnus angustifolia Russian olives Fruit AsiaEleusine coracana Finger millet Cereal AsiaEmblica officinalis Indian gooseberry Fruit AsiaEragrostis tef Tef Cereal AfricaFagopyrum esculentum Buckwheat Cereal Asia, EuropeGarcinia mangostana Mangosteen Fruit AsiaHippophae rhamnoides Sea buckthorn Medicinal, fruit AsiaIrvingia gabonensis Dika nut Fruit, nut AfricaIsatis tinctoria Indigo Dye Africa Jatropha curcas Physic Nut Industrial oil AfricaKerstingiella geocarpa Kersting's groundnut Legume AfricaLablab purpureus Hyacinth bean Legume, fodder Africa, Asia Lagenaria sphaerica Wild calabash Fruit, medicine AfricaLawsonia inermis Henna Cosmetics Africa, Asia Leucaena leucocephala Leucaena Vegetable, fodder AfricaMetroxylon sagu Sago palm Food crop AfricaMoringa oleifera Moringa Medicinal, vegetable Africa, AsiaMuscari comosum Tassel hyacinth Vegetable EuropeMyroxyron balsamun Peru balm Cosmetics Latin America Pastinaca sativa Parsnip Vegetable EuropePlectranthus esculentus Livingstone potato Tuber Africa Portulaca oleracea Purslane Vegetable Asia, Europe Ricinodendron heudelotii Ndjanssang Fruit AsiaRhus coriaria Sumac Spice, medicinal, dyes Asia, Europe Salsola kali Blackbush Vegetable EuropeSetaria italica Foxtail millet Cereal Asia, Europe Smallanthus sonchifolius Yacon Tuber Latin America Solanum nigrum Black nightshade Vegetable Africa Solenostemma arghel Argel Medicinal Africa, Asia Sphenostylis stenocarpa African yam bean Legume Africa Stevia rebaudiana Stevia Natural sweetener AsiaTamarindus indica Tamarind Fruit AsiaUllucus tuberosus Ulluco Tuber Latin America Vigna subterranea Bambara groundnut Legume Africa Vitellaria paradoxa Shea Oil crop Africa Ziziphus sp. Ber, jujube Fruit Africa, Asia, Europe
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Abo
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Inte
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ResearchResearch into the conservation and use of biodiversity
is important for everyone. The more plant and animal
genetic diversity we conserve, the more opportunities
there will be for innovation and growth in agricultural
production, and the more options we will have to cope
with climate change and new pests and diseases.
Biodiversity makes our environment more fertile, our
meals more nutritious and delicious, and our lives
more vibrant.
Biodiversity is available to people everywhere, even in
the most impoverished areas of the world. Indeed, some
of the world's poorest countries are among the richest in
biodiversity. Bioversity's aim is to promote research that
will protect biodiversity and harness it to fuel
community development in ways that respect local
traditions and the environment.
Bioversity is committed to research that fosters
sustainable development; research that helps people
living in poverty to secure dignified and sustainable
livelihoods through food and agricultural production;
research that helps to raise nutrition levels in areas
where hunger is widespread; and research that helps
to keep communities and the environment healthy.
Our area of expertise is biodiversity, but benefiting
people—especially the people of the developing
world—is at the centre of our work.
Our visionOur work is motivated by the vision of a world in which
the conservation and deployment of agricultural
biodiversity on farms and in forests enables people to
enjoy greater well-being through increased incomes,
sustainable improvements in food security and nutrition,
and greater environmental health.
Our missionBioversity undertakes, encourages and supports
research and other activities that involve the use and
conservation of agricultural biodiversity, especially
genetic resources, to create more productive, resilient
and sustainable harvests. Our aim is to promote
greater human wellbeing, particularly among poor
people in developing countries, by helping them to
achieve food security, to improve their health and
nutrition, to boost their incomes, and to conserve the
natural resources on which they depend. Bioversityworks with a range of partners the world over to
maximize impact, develop capacity and ensure that
the voices of all stakeholders are heard.
Our focus areasThe purpose of Bioversity's work is to enable
individuals and institutions to make optimal use of
agricultural biodiversity to meet the current and
future development needs of people and societies. To
achieve this purpose, Bioversity concentrates on six
focus areas:
developing and implementing strategies to promote
global collaboration for the conservation and use of
genetic resources for food and agriculture, with a
focus on policies, genetic resources information
systems and awareness raising
monitoring the status and trends of biodiversity,
including locating diversity in situ and measuring
genetic erosion
enhancing ex situ conservation and use of
species diversity
promoting the conservation and sustainable use of
important wild species
managing agricultural biodiversity to promote
better nutrition, improved livelihoods and
sustainable production systems for the poor
conserving the diversity of selected high-value
crops and promoting the use of this diversity to
benefit the poor
About Bioversity International
BBiioovveerrssiittyy is the world's largest international research organizationdedicated solely to the conservation and use of biologicaldiversity, commonly referred to as biodiversity. It is nonprofit,nonreligious and independently operated.
IPGRI and INIBAP operate under the name Bioversity International.© Bioversity International Via dei Tre Denari, 472a 00057 Maccarese (Rome) Italy Tel.: (39) 066118.1 Fax: (39) 0661979661Email: [email protected] www.bioversityinternational.org
Find out more about Neglected and Underutilized Species at:www.bioversityinternational.org/Themes/Neglected_and_Underutilized_Species/index.aspwww.underutilized-species.orgwww.icuc-iwmi.org
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ISBN 978-92-9043-737-6