Agrobiodiversity, and Neglected and Underutilized Species for Food, Nutrition, Livelihood, and Environmental Security in Nepal

Abstract

Agrobiodiversity is one of the important components of biodiversity that is important for food and nutrition security. This chapter aims to highlight the importance, conservation, and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity with special emphasis on native, neglected, and underutilized species (NUS) and future smart crop species for ensuring food and nutrition security in Nepal. The paper is derived from a literature review and the authors’ experiences of implementing some relevant project activities and initiatives in Nepal for the last two decades. Nepal has initiated conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity employing four strategies namely ex-situ, on-farm, in-situ, and breeding. About 85% of the cultivated crop species in Nepal are NUS. The use of NUS and landraces in research and breeding is very limited. Recently some good initiatives and practices have been developed and piloted for the conservation and use of agrobiodiversity. These NUS can directly contribute to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 12, 13) and fulfilling national goals of reducing poverty and ensuring food and nutrition security. Poor investment in research, education, and development, and weak seed regulatory framework is the key “policy” constraint for the promotion of NUS. Developing site-specific staple, nutritious, and climate-resilient varieties and diversified products utilizing rich agrobiodiversity of diverse NUS crops for the promotion of sustainable agriculture systems is the best strategy for long-term food, nutrition, environment and livelihood security in the country.