Potentials and constraints

Wild, semi-domesticated or fully cultivated, these species are important for the well being of local communities. Their enhanced use can bring about better nutrition (vitamin C in the fruit of the Barbados cherry -Malpighia glabra- is than ten times higher than in the kiwi fruit -notably very rich in this micro nutrient; nutritional value of the Himalayan chenopod grains, Chenopodium spp., is superior to that of most major cereals) and socio-economic benefits (the use of minor forest products in India is estimated to generate employment to more than 10 million people per year). Better use of these species contribute to safeguard their own genetic diversity, today under threat of genetic erosion.

The key to their successful promotion rests in the proper deployment of their multiple uses whose enhancement needs a rather different approach from what is used for major crops. Neglected and underutilized species are adapted to poor conditions in marginal lands, unfit for other crops, where they can provide sustainable productions. They contribute significantly to maintain diversity rich and hence more stable agro-ecosystems, and thus represent strategic crops for particularly fragile ecosystems, such as those affected by salinization and desertification. This is the case for example of colocynth (Citrullus colocynthus, a multiple uses cucurbit species indigenous to India) characterized by exceptional soil binding and drought resistance capacities; carob (Ceratonia siliqua, an evergreen leguminous tree from the Mediterranean region used as food, feed and in gum extraction industry, landscaping, afforestation, wind-breaking, ect.) able to grow successfully in prevailing calcareous poor soils and dry habitats and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius, an ancient crop source of edible seed oil and natural colors locally grown in Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean) which hold both drought and salt tolerance traits.

These species are present in rural, forest areas as well as urban and peri-urban agricultural lands where their better deployment and more efficient commercialization can contribute to raise income of the poor. Traditional agricultural research has paid so far little attention to these species which lack inter alia proper knowledge on reproductive biology, genetic improvement, genetics of agronomic and quality traits, as well as proper commercialization, marketing, policy and legal frameworks.

A portfolio of activities on neglected and underutilized species at IPGRI

IPGRI’s activities on neglected and underutilized species involve more than 15 projects implemented in partnership with national programs from countries all over the world. As a whole, more than 50 species are being addressed in these efforts, covering a wide range of crops, from fruit trees to root and tuber crops to multipurpose tree species. Activities are carried out in close cooperation with international organisations such as CGIAR sister centers, FAO and the International Center for Underutilized Crops (ICUC). Closer collaboration with GFAR is being sought to strengthen international support in this strategic area of research.

IPGRI’s activities on NUS can be grouped in five main domains:

Participatory research
Neglected and underutilized species constitute a category defined by their social value and status. For this reason people and farmers play an important role in reversing their decline in use and arresting their genetic erosion.
Activities at IPGRI cover anthropological and ethnobotanic research aspects aimed at enhancing the human capacity for the successful promotion of these sepcies. Special attention is paid to community-knowledge base on use, nutrition programs and strengthening of links among primary stakeholders.

Complementary conservation approaches
Given the close relationship between use and the maintenance of genetic diversity of neglected and underutilized species, special attention is needed to maintain complementarity between ex situ and in situ conservation efforts.
Activities in this domain range from the development of community-based systems s.a. home gardens to the establishment of core collections for facilitating maintenance and effective use of those accessions maintained in ex situ gene banks.

Documentation, dissemination of information and enhancement of capacities
Documentation and information play a crucial role in the enhancement of the use of neglected and underutilized species.
Activities: Since its establishment in 1974, IPGRI has produced more than 80 titles of publications dealing specifically with these species. Particularly significant are those crop monographs (24 so far), developed through a special project financed by Germany, which cover both scientific issues (s.a. taxonomy, biology, crop improvement and conservation needs) as well as knowledge on use and marketing of a number of representative species. List of scientists working on neglected and underutilized species are also produced through the monograph series. All IPGRI publications dealing with this subject can be downloaded from the Internet.

Fostering synergism at national, regional and international level
IPGRI commonly employs networking as a way to deliver its main objectives. This modus operandi has proved to be a successful way with major crops programs but also with neglected and underutilized species.
Activities: A project focusing on underutilized Mediterranean species was succesfully carried out from 1994 to 1998 thanks to the support of the Italian Government. This work and other similar networking initiatives coordinated by IPGRI have contributed to raise the attention of scientists on neglected and underutilized species and promoted greater synergism in research domains so far largely uncovered by national programs.

Legal and policy frameworks and public awareness
The enhancement of uses of underutilized and neglected species finds in many cases a major constraint in the legal and policy frameworks.
Activities: IPGRI is very active in global fora to raise awareness on neglected and underutilized species and the development of systems for the fair share of benefits arising from their use. IPGRI’s contribution to promote these species at the international level include inputs in the development of the FAO’s Global Plan of Action for PGRFA, proposals for an underutilized-species alternative list to include in the FAO‘s International Undertaking on PGR and support to an international workshop addressing the role of underutilized species in food security.

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