H.A.C.K. Ariyarathna
(PhD)
Neglected and Underutilized crops (NUCs) can be used as a transformative response to climate change and food and nutrition insecurity. NUCs also known as minor, orphan, promising, or little-used crops are generally wild or semi-domesticated species adapted to local environments. NUCs are used locally but globally are rare. Low investment and lack of scientific interest, information and knowledge limits the current use of these crops relative to their true potential.
Food and nutrition insecurity are global problems. Sri Lanka ranks 65 th in the global food security index. Calorie deficit in the Sri Lankan population is 192 Kcal/capita/day, highest recorded in South Asia. Over 15% of the children under five affected, Sri Lanka is among the 10 countries in the “very high category” for prevalence of wasting (FAO, 2019). Protein-Energy Malnutrition (30%), and vitamin A deficiency (VAD, 36%) are among the major conditions resulting in hidden hunger and malnutrition in the population. Under-nutrition has economic costs and in Asia and Africa, the GDB loss due to under-nutrition is 11% (Harvest Plus). NUCs are good sources of plant based essential nutrients (Table 1) including micro nutrients, protein, energy and fibre which would contribute to food and nutrition security.
Conventional crops and agricultural production based on the high input–high output model makes farming more vulnerable to environmental shocks. NUCs as climate-resilient and low-input crops provides unique opportunities for sustainable, low carbon, resource-efficient agriculture. The fragmented land use and the inherent diversity in agro-climates, farming systems and associated socio-economic factors are major challenges in improving the local agriculture sector and locally elevated solutions are therefore imperative to improve the sector. NUCs are often grown by subsistence farmers in marginal soils and therefore naturally tolerate environmental stresses. Thus incorporation of NUCs makes production systems more diverse but also more sustainable and climate resilient. Mainstreaming NUCs, targeting diverse crop production environments, can provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions to increase crop yields and profits for the farming communities.
Sri Lanka spent $1.4 billion for agriculture, food, and beverage imports accounting for 7.2% of total imports (FAO, 2019). Frequent disturbances (natural or man made) on domestic agriculture intensify cost of food and the foreign exchange crisis. On August 2021, Sri Lankan government declared an economic emergency to control surging food prices. Along with capital investment and enhanced R&D on commercial agriculture to increase production, strategic interventions to mainstream NUCs can significantly increase domestic food availability contributing to alleviation of malnutrition and hidden hunger while still providing income and, economic and environmental security to the nation.
Major attention on NUCs comes from the need for crop diversification, to overcome over-reliance on a limited number of food and plantation crops. From over 30,000 edible plant species, people cultivate 7000 species for food worldwide. However, today less than 150 food crops are commercially cultivated, yet only four species, rice, wheat, maize, and potato provide more than 60% of the global human energy supply. Lack of food crop and dietary diversity has resulted in major health problems including hidden hunger and obesity.
Potential diversification of products by innovative use of NUCs for food and non-food uses and to produce raw materials for industrial applications.
NUCs are produced and introduced as high value crops for exclusive markets.
Multiple ecological roles of NUCs in farming systems to make agriculture more environmentally sensitive, and sustainable. NUCs can be effectively used to increase agbiodiversity, and to create sustainable production systems especially for fragile ecosystems. Due to the multipurpose nature, incorporation of NUCs into farming systems such as alley cropping or new rotations to manage decreasing soil fertility, improve resilience, economic sustainability, income opportunities, and the environment. Furthermore, NUCs can be cultivated in low-input systems which will reduce the pressure on natural resource degradation.
NUCs provide income opportunities for smallholders. NUCs, with unique characters such as higher nutritional value or specific industrial, medicinal or other uses can create new and exclusive market opportunities. Many NUCs can be produced off-season and being organic can open viable business opportunities for enterprising individuals or social enterprises.
Traditional farmers who often act as custodians of the local agbiodiversity and indigenous knowledge cultivate NUCs for religious, cultural and social values. Thus, NUCs have a role in human well-being and social and ethical dimensions, including the rights of indigenous people to continue their traditions.
Mainstreaming NUCs will ensure farmer communities could produce sufficient, nutritious and safe food for consumption and gain economic benefits from marketing surplus. Thereby NUCS can creates opportunities for developing sustainable and healthy food systems, income and economic opportunities, enhanced agro-biodiversity, sustainable production systems and thereby lead the nation towards the fulfillment of several sustainable development goals (SDGs): SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land).
Thus the upcoming activity by Youth for Action propose mainstreaming NUCs by promoting trans-disciplinary interventions by researchers, strategic stakeholders and the policy developers.
H.A.C.K. Ariyarathna
(PhD)
Asia and the Pacifc Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition— Placing Nutrition at the Centre of Social Protection (UNICEF, WHO, WFP, FAO, 2019).
Adhikari, L., Hussain, A., & Rasul, G. (2017). Tapping the potential of neglected and underutilized food crops for sustainable nutrition security in the mountains of Pakistan and Nepal. Sustainability, 9(2), 291.
Siddique, K. H., Li, X., & Gruber, K. (2021). Rediscovering Asia’s forgotten crops to fight chronic and hidden hunger. Nature Plants, 7(2), 116-122.
