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Definition
There is some debate over the meaning of the terms orphan,
neglected and underutilized crops. The term
orphan is usually used to describe crops that receive
little scientific research or funding despite their significance
for food security in the world's poorest regions (Naylor et
al. 2004, citation below).
Two other useful definitions are those of the International
Plant Genetic Resource Institute for underutilized and neglected
crops:
"Neglected crops are those grown primarily in
their centres of origin or centres of diversity by traditional
farmers, where they are still important for the subsistence
of local communities. Some species may be globally distributed,
but tend to occupy special niches in the local ecology and
in production and consumption systems. While these crops continue
to be maintained by socio-cultural preferences and use practices,
they remain inadequately characterized and neglected by research
and conservation." (Eyzaguirre et al., 1999, cited in
Padulosi et al, link to paper below).
"Many underutilized crops were once more widely
grown but are today falling into disuse for a variety of agronomic,
genetic, economic and cultural factors. Farmers and consumers
are using these crops less because they are in some way not
competitive with other crop species in the same agricultural
environment. The general decline of these crops may erode
the genetic base and preventing the use of distinctive useful
traits in crop adaptation and improvement."
Relevant CCRP projects
Currently funded projects
Lupin/quinoa
(Ecuador)
Quinoa (Andes)
Tef/finger
millet (East Africa)
Previously funded projects
Andean tubers
(Peru)
Finger
millet (India)
Indigenous
vegetables (Uganda)
Legumes
(South Africa)
Relevant events
None listed as of
.
Relevant literature
Available on the Internet
There is a considerable amount of published material on the
topic of neglected, orphan and underutilized crops. We provide
some key papers, reports and books on the subject, as well
as links to sites that have excellent, updated bibliographies
and other online publications.
Potential roles of biotechnology in
orphan crop improvement
- Website: Stanford University
- Reference: Naylor, R. L., W. P. Falcon, R. M. Goodman, M.
M. Jahn, T. Sengooba, H. Tefera and R.J. Nelson. 2004. Biotechnology
in the developing world: a case for increased investments
in orphan crops. Food Policy 29: 15-44.
Key issues
- Website: Neglected
and underutilized crops
- Reference: Padulosi, S, Hodgkin T, Williams J.T. and N. Haq.
2000. Underutilized crops: trends, challenges and opportunities
in the 21st Century.
Global research report
- Website: IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute)
- Reference: Williams, J.T. and N. Haq. 2002. Global Research
on Underutilized Crops.
- Description: "This report has been produced to provide
a succinct overview of the global research activities on underutilized
crops. It is aimed at policy-makers, funding agencies and
research administrators but it is hoped that it will also
be of use to the scientific community. The report results
from a request from a workshop convened by the Genetic Resources
Policy Committee for the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research."
Role of public sector
- Website: ODI (Overseas Development Institute)
- Reference: Blench, R. 1997. Neglected species, livelihoods
and biodiversity in difficult areas: how should the public
sector respond? ODI Natural Resources Perspectives, Number
23, 1997
Focus on underutilized crops
- Website: New
Agriculturalist
- Reference: Focus on Underutilized Crops, November 2004.
- Description: This online publication outlines some of
the major issues related to underutilized crops, including
limited markets and their significance to health and diversity,
and then highlights several underutilized crops such as
indigo and nangai nuts.
Book chapter from IPGRI: Conservation and use of underutilized
crops: An Indian Perspective
- Website: IPGRI
Scroll down to Theme 8 and click on item #33.
Relevant links
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute's (IPGRI)
Project Website on conserving and promoting the use of underutilized
crops
- Website: IPGRI
- Description: This website has many resources, including
a list of neglected or underutilized crops (location, common
and botanical names), a search engine for publications on
specific crops, an expert directory (also a search engine),
an extensive bibliography and information on selected projects
from IPGRI's portfolio of projects on underutilized crops.
These projects focus on those crops that have high potential
for increased use, are in danger of genetic erosion and/or
have local significance in terms of food security, nutrition
and income generation. . As of May 2006, the site had 72
publications available for download (mostly monographs on
individual crop species).
Global Facilitation Unit for Under-Utilized
Species
- Website: Global Facilitation Unit for Under-Utilized Species
- Description: "The Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized
Species was created to ease and increase information and
knowledge exchange in the field of underutilized and neglected
species." It's a joint effort initiated by FAO, IFAD,
IPGRI, ICUC and BMZ. The Unit's mandate is to focus on
(1) Documentation, information and communication; (2)
Policy analysis and advice to decision makers; (3) Public
Awareness." The website includes information about
specific species (papers, factsheets, conferences), funding
and training opportunities and upcoming events.
International Center for Underutilised Crops
(ICUC)
- Website: ICUC
- Description: This website provides factsheets on particular
crops, new recipes, links to other organizations, recent
papers and other materials on underutilized crops. The
International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) was
founded in 1992 and is a research, development and training
organization. Staff provide knowledge and support for
tropical, sub-tropical and temperate plant development.
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