Objective 3 - Enhancing the multiple uses of underutilized species

IPGRI CWANA deploys particular attention to the promotion of less used species in recognition of the important role that they play in food security, income generation and maintenance of the fragile ecosystems of this region.

As a follow up to the Conference on priority setting for underutilized and neglected species held in Aleppo in 1998, a pilot study was initiated in Lebanon to address the promotion of these species through a multidisciplinary approach. The project focuses on a number of priority species (vegetable, condiment & medicinal plants) harvested from the wild and much appreciated by the local populations (sage -Salvia spp., oregano -Origanum spp., chicory -Cichorium spp. and Gundelia spp.) No organized marketing, conservation or research takes place for these species in Lebanon. The human pressure on the wild populations of these species is increasingly becoming unsustainable and the survival of this resource base is at risk. This work is particularly valuable for assessing the ecogeographic distribution of these species, the level to which they are threatened, degree of use and analyses of the constraints limiting their full valorization through domestication and cultivation. This work contributes to the implementation of IPGRI’s strategy on Neglected & Underutilized Species (NUS)  in CWANA and benefits from close collaboration with C12 i.e. technical advice was provided by the C12 Project Coordinator during his visit to Aleppo in 1999.

Socio-economics of Neglected and Underutilized Species in CWANA

1 – Pilot project on selected species in Syria

The aim of this pilot study is to assess socio-economic aspects related to the production and marketing of selected neglected and underutilized species (NUS) in Syria and shed light on current challenges and opportunities encountered in promoting the economic exploitation of these species.

The study looks at the market channel and product development of NUS in order to identify the causes limiting their full deployment in the country, along with the needs required in their sustainable use. The investigation concentrates the attention on actions to promote production, processing and marketing with a special focus at the needs of rural communities, where these species can become a valuable instrument to enhance income generation.

The two main research questions are:

• How can the production, processing, trading and marketing of target species be developed/further improved to generate a more sustainable income for households involved in their production?

• How do socio-economic and marketing forces impact conservation of genetic resources and what is needed to reduce or eliminate negative influences over their sustainable use?

Research steps

The study is articulated around seven main research steps:

1. Selection of neglected and underutilised species to serve as pilot species in the investigation;

2. Development of consistent survey methodology and associated data gathering tools;

3. Collection of general information on market channels and product development on target species in Syria, through interviews with production and marketing experts, policy makers, extension officers, researchers and other key stakeholder groups; .

4. Data gathering at the level of households in  rural communities and village people engaged in local and city market activities;  

5. Gathering information on various production, processing, trading and marketing arrangements of the same species in other countries;  

6. Analysis of gathered data and development of base line report;  

7. Development of a strategic action plan to address needed interventions in support of NUS promotion in Syria.  

Accomplishments so far:

1. The species selected for the pilot project survey are: Zizyphus jujuba Mill, Ficus carica, Capparis sipnosa, Laurus nobilis, Portulaca oleracea, L. Malva silvestris L.

2. Survey methodology has been developed and a survey on the market channel of the selected species has been carried out in five sites of Syria, through 270 personal interviews to stakeholders involved in the production and commercialization of these species.

3. Information on market channels and product development has been collected in the following Syrian sites: Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa, Lattakia and Homs.

4. A Scientific Round Table Discussion has been organized at the University of Aleppo on July 5-8, 2003 to discuss the issue of Agrobiodiversity and livelihood in Syria and the role of underutilized crops in nutrition and income generation

2. Additional socio-economics activities on NUS in CWANA

Collection of information on marketing of NUS on a case study basis through, personal interviews with stakeholders involved in the production, processing, trading and marketing of NUS on:

- Marketing of Laurel soap (Laurus nobilis) - Kassab, Syria

- Production and marketing of capers (Capparis spinosa) by Sicilian Cooperative – Pantelleria, Italy  

3. Organisation of the Expert Workshop "Marketing Strategies and Capacity Strengthening to Realize the Economic Potential of Underutilized Plant Species" (28-31 January 2004, University of Macerata, Italy)

The meeting is jointly organized by GFU (The Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species, based at IPGRI’s Headquarters, Rome), IPGRI and the University of Macerata, Italy. This Workshop will bring together some 40 specialists from different sectors (local entrepreneurs, practitioners, legal experts, farmers' organizations, fair trade, and training institutions) to address case studies of successful marketing of these species and identify strategic areas for successful commercialization of NUS and needs in the development of Human Resources. An action plan is expected to result out of this Meeting , containing proposals for training courses tailored to the needs of different stakeholder groups (from community members, small scale entrepreneurs to researchers).

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