Bring NUS back to the table!

NUS, or Neglected and Underutilized Species, are wild, cultivated or semi-domesticated non-commodity crops at the margin of mainstream agriculture. Their contribution to tackling food and nutrition insecurity and climate change vulnerability is huge and can no longer be overlooked. They might not be ‘neglected’ for much longer

Making information accessible for the conservation and use of biodiversity. A novel initiative to facilitate access to information and use of agricultural and tree biodiversity

Poster presented at Science Week 2014 - Bioversity International HQ, Rome (Italy), 24-27 Feb 201

A holistic approach to enhance the use of neglected and underutilized species: the case of Andean grains in Bolivia and Peru

The IFAD-NUS project, implemented over the course of a decade in two phases, represents the first UN-supported global effort on neglected and underutilized species (NUS). This initiative, deployed and tested a holistic and innovative value chain framework using multi-stakeholder, participatory, inter-disciplinary, pro-poor gender- and nutrition-sensitive approaches. The project has been linking aspects often dealt with separately by R&D, such as genetic diversity, selection, cultivation, harvest, value addition, marketing, and final use, with the goal to contribute to conservation, better incomes, and improved nutrition and strengthened livelihood resilience. The project contributed to the greater conservation of Andean grains and their associated indigenous knowledge, through promoting wider use of their diversity by value chain actors, adoption of best cultivation practices, development of improved varieties, dissemination of high quality seed, and capacity development. Reduced drudgery in harvest and postharvest operations, and increased food safety were achieved through technological innovations. Development of innovative food products and inclusion of Andean grains in school meal programs is projected to have had a positive nutrition outcome for targeted communities. Increased income was recorded for all value chain actors, along with strengthened networking skills and self-reliance in marketing. The holistic approach taken in this study is advocated as an effective strategy to enhance the use of other neglected and underutilized species for conservation and livelihood benefits

Minor millets as a central element for sustainably enhanced incomes, empowerment, and nutrition in rural India

Minor millets comprise a group of cereal species that are genetically diverse and adapted to a range of marginal growing conditions where major cereals such as wheat, rice, and maize are relatively unsuccessful. Millets require few inputs and withstand severe biotic and abiotic stresses. They are also more nutritious than major cereals. Despite these advantages, neglect in several arenas has resulted in a steady decline in the cultivation of minor millets in India over the past few decades. As part of a United Nations global project on underutilized species, we undertook action research intended to stem the decline in cultivation and enhance the conservation and use of minor millets in 753 households spread across 34 villages in four states of India. Our aim was to improve incomes, nutritional status, and empowerment, especially for women. Overall, our holistic approach to mainstreaming species such as finger millet, little millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet indicates that these neglected and underutilized species can play a strategic role in improving many dimensions of livelihoods

Oregano

Four multicrop germplasm collecting missions took place in Albania during 1993-95 which collected 5 accessions of oregano, subsequently deposited at the Germplasm Institute in Bari, Italy. This paper briefly considers the geographical distribution and taxonomy of Origanum in Albania and includes information on its cultivation and uses. (Abstract © CAB ABSTRACTS, CAB International

Soutenir une agriculture axée sur la nutrition grâce aux espèces négligées et sous-utilisées: Cadre opérationnel.

This joint Bioversity-IFAD publication was developed to guide IFAD and other agencies’ efforts in leveraging neglected and underutilized species (NUS) in support of Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture. It presents a holistic value chain approach for the use enhancement of these local resources in project design and implementation in order to attain more resilient production and food systems. It also highlights ways by which their better use can contribute towards the social and economic empowerment of marginalized groups, including women an Indigenous Peoples, who play an essential role in safeguarding their genetic diversity and associated traditional knowledge

Apoyando una Agricultura Sensible a la Nutrición, a través de especies olvidadas y subutilizadas: Marco operacional.

This joint Bioversity-IFAD publication was developed to guide IFAD and other agencies’ efforts in leveraging neglected and underutilized species (NUS) in support of Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture. It presents a holistic value chain approach for the use enhancement of these local resources in project design and implementation in order to attain more resilient production and food systems. It also highlights ways by which their better use can contribute towards the social and economic empowerment of marginalized groups, including women an Indigenous Peoples, who play an essential role in safeguarding their genetic diversity and associated traditional knowledge