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Making better use of underutilized species
Focus on Central and West Asia and North Africa
Humankind relies on a wide diversity of plants. At least 5000 species are cultivated for food, shelter, medicinal and other purposes. Until now, agricultural research has focused on major staples, a much smaller number. Yet, the value and usefulness of so-called minor or underutilized crops are well recognized at regional and local levels, where they often play an important role in household nutritional security, for example through providing vitamins and micronutrients. Many of these species are adapted to farming conditions that are unsuitable for 'major' crops, such as zones with saline soils, arid conditions, or degraded or hilly areas. Indeed, in some cases, they are the only crops that can be grown. Reflecting the central role they often play in poor people's lives, minor crops are closely tied to the history and cultural identity of the communities that have grown them for centuries.
Despite their importance, these species have been largely neglected by researchers. Information on their cultivation is often lacking, there is little genetic diversity available in genebanks for breeders to use, the seed industry is reluctant to invest in the commercialization of a niche crop. Meanwhile, as more people migrate to the cities, minor species are falling into disuse, putting them at risk of genetic erosion or even extinction.
In many cases, the potential exists for more widespread use of these species. They include crops that could meet the needs of consumers seeking a more natural and varied diet. They can offer opportunities for farmers to tap into diverse markets and thus represent important new sources of income for rural people.
These were some of the conclusions of a workshop hosted by the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, India with support from IPGRI and the CGIAR Genetic Resources Policy Committee in 1999. The workshop examined the potential role of the CGIAR in enlarging the world's food basket through greater use of underutilized species.
IPGRI has long had an interest in underutilized species. In particular, the institute works on species with a strong potential for increasing income-earning opportunities among poor people. A project to promote the conservation and use of underutilized species native to the Mediterranean basin has helped to raise awareness of the potential market value of crops such as rocket, hulled wheats, pistachio and oregano while contributing to their in situ and ex situ conservation. <
Following a priority setting conference held by IPGRI in 1998 in Syria, a pilot study was launched in Lebanon to address how to promote a target group of underutilized species. The target group includes sage (Salvia spp.), oregano (Origanum spp.), chicory (Cichorium spp.) and Gundelia spp., species which are harvested from the wild by the local populations, leading to severe genetic erosion.
In Central Asia, where pistachio has been regarded mainly as a forest tree species, rather than as a source of nuts with strong market potential, countries are now joining forces to exploit this neglected crop through an effort coordinated by the IPGRI’s CWANA Office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Pistachio and its wild relatives are drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soils, making them particularly suitable for cultivation on marginal lands. Ecogeographic surveys and germplasm collecting missions are being planned in Central Asia to learn more about the diversity, distribution and uses of pistachio and to strengthen their conservation.
Uzbekistan is home to an important array of wild and cultivated vegetable diversity. IPGRI sponsored a series of collecting missions in 1999 to collect endangered cultivated species of eggplant, watermelon, turnip, celery, nigella, carrots, radish, basil, coriander, sesame, and cabbage, along with their wild relatives, and to learn about conservation and use of these species from the farmers. During one mission, the collecting team met with an old farmer whose life commitment to local crop varieties has led him to safeguard more than 100 melon varieties on his farm! Another IPGRI-supported mission uncovered rare fruit tree varieties still being maintained by farmers in Afganistan. A germplasm catalogue to properly document this diversity, including unique apricot and almond landraces, is currently under preparation.
Pomegrante (Punica granatum) is also another priority fruit tree whose better use is being promoted through an IPGRI-supported effort that involves scientists from Turkmenistan (the country hosting the largest germplasm collection of Punica species in the world) and experts from Tunisia and Syria.
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