Neglected and Underutilized Crops: Present Status and Future Prospectus

Abstract

Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are ancient crop species indigenous to a community, which are usually wild or semi-domesticated. Such crops are often referred to as orphan crops. These crops are predominantly grown in their centre of origin, where they are still considered significant and used for the sustenance of the local population. NUS are usually grown under harsh and extreme agro-climatic conditions. Overtime, they have become more resistant and resilient to stresses, biotic as well as abiotic. Even though these crops may be less yielders as compared to major crops, they have been favourably relied upon whenever major staple crops have failed due to threats or catastrophe. Further, NUS also ensures elevated income for small-scale farmers. NUS plays major role in improving the food security; however, such crops are poorly/less documented and, hence, are neglected in the fields of research and conservation. Bioversity International is taking a considerable interest along with FAO in curbing years of monumental negligence of NUS and to smoothly roll these species out of the say. At the global level, many organizations have put their efforts forward to ensure the improvement and utilization of neglected and underutilized crops. As these crops are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, etc. and thereby, such crops have a characteristic of mitigating the ‘hidden hunger’ in the poorest communities. This chapter highlights the present status and prospectus of NUS around the world, with a brief outlook across countries, potential of these crops in mitigating hidden hunger and ensuring global food security and role of various organizations in conservation, preservation and elevating the status of these species.