A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR GLOBAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERUTILIZED PLANT SPECIES: A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES AND LEGUMES

Recently, national research systems, policy makers and donors have shown increased interest in underutilized species, recognizing their contribution to alleviate “hidden hunger”– the lack of minerals and vitamins in many diets – and to generate additional household income, especially for women.
Support of the increasing efforts of national institutions and international organizations, such as the Future Harvest Centers of the CGIAR, AVRDC and GHI, the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species, the International Centre for Underutilized Crops and Bioversity International led a global consultation of a Strategic Framework for Underutilized Plant Species Research and Development which includes four main areas: 1) generation of new knowledge through mapping of indigenous knowledge and further scientific research to increase the global knowledge base; 2) better communication of this information in order to raise awareness and build capacity among stakeholders and ultimately increase demand for underutilized plants and their products through demonstration sites, collection of success stories, targeted campaigns, development of school curricula and training; 3) influencing policy at all levels to remove barriers to production and marketing; and 4) improved market development through practical interventions, entrepreneurial training and fostering of public-private partnerships at all stages of the value chain to improve the supply and demand of underutilized plants and their products.

I International Conference on Indigenous Vegetables and Legumes. Prospectus for Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition

I. Hoeschle-Zeledon, H. Jaenicke

Underutilized and neglected species, intervention areas, capacity building, awareness creation, policies, market development

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.752.13