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| | Many smallhol- ders possess very specific knowledge of cultivation and pro- cessing techniques for underutilized species and their diverse uses. It is not unusual for certain plant or animal species to be of great spiritual importance for the people and their cultural identity. | | Many smallhol- ders possess very specific knowledge of cultivation and pro- cessing techniques for underutilized species and their diverse uses. It is not unusual for certain plant or animal species to be of great spiritual importance for the people and their cultural identity. |
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| | Many underutilized crops and animal products are used almost exclusively for the farmers' own subsistence, even where the potential exists to market them more extensively. This is due to the lack of infrastructure for marketing products of suitable quality and in appropriate quantities to potential customers. | | Many underutilized crops and animal products are used almost exclusively for the farmers' own subsistence, even where the potential exists to market them more extensively. This is due to the lack of infrastructure for marketing products of suitable quality and in appropriate quantities to potential customers. |
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| | Traditionally, underutilized plant and an- imal products have been processed manually on farms, often using labour-intensive and time-consuming methods. To ex- pand the scale of production, efficient technologies must be de- veloped for manufacturing, storage and processing, to ensure that quality standards can be met. | | Traditionally, underutilized plant and an- imal products have been processed manually on farms, often using labour-intensive and time-consuming methods. To ex- pand the scale of production, efficient technologies must be de- veloped for manufacturing, storage and processing, to ensure that quality standards can be met. |
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| | === Lack of knowledge and erosion of cultural diversity === | | === Lack of knowledge and erosion of cultural diversity === |
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| | Often, neither scientists nor consumers are aware of the nutritional val- ue, medicinal properties or other special characteristics of these products. Indeed, fundamentally negative attitudes may prevail towards local traditions. In extreme cases, indigenous culinary traditions and local specialities may be dismissed as 'old-fash- ioned' or 'paupers' food'. | | Often, neither scientists nor consumers are aware of the nutritional val- ue, medicinal properties or other special characteristics of these products. Indeed, fundamentally negative attitudes may prevail towards local traditions. In extreme cases, indigenous culinary traditions and local specialities may be dismissed as 'old-fash- ioned' or 'paupers' food'. |
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| | === Lack of political support === | | === Lack of political support === |
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| | The food security programmes in many developing countries are based on agricultural policies which favour the 'green revolution crops' and focus exclusively on maize, wheat or rice, and export crops. In animal production, the emphasis has long been on promoting the use of high-per- formance breeds, even though they only produce high yields in ideal production conditions. Incentives, subsidies and loan pro- grammes for this type of agricultural production distort the mar- ket, to the detriment of traditional crop varieties and animal breeds. Complicated authorization procedures can also be an obstacle to accessing new international markets. One example is the Novel Food Regulation of the European Union, which requires extensive safety-testing of novel foodstuffs on public health grounds before they can be introduced to the European market. In addition to the reasons mentioned, there are certainly other causes of underutilization which are not so easily remedied, at least not in the short term; for example, low yields, unpalatable flavours or poor keeping qualities. | | The food security programmes in many developing countries are based on agricultural policies which favour the 'green revolution crops' and focus exclusively on maize, wheat or rice, and export crops. In animal production, the emphasis has long been on promoting the use of high-per- formance breeds, even though they only produce high yields in ideal production conditions. Incentives, subsidies and loan pro- grammes for this type of agricultural production distort the mar- ket, to the detriment of traditional crop varieties and animal breeds. Complicated authorization procedures can also be an obstacle to accessing new international markets. One example is the Novel Food Regulation of the European Union, which requires extensive safety-testing of novel foodstuffs on public health grounds before they can be introduced to the European market. In addition to the reasons mentioned, there are certainly other causes of underutilization which are not so easily remedied, at least not in the short term; for example, low yields, unpalatable flavours or poor keeping qualities. |
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Revision as of 10:25, 8 November 2013
Trend towards uniformity
Until the beginning of the 20th century, a wide range of locally-adapted crop varieties and livestock breeds were available to farmers. This diversity contributed to the security of the food supply and helped to safeguard people's livelihoods. Nowadays, the bulk of the world's food is de- rived from just a few species. For example, the three major cereals – wheat, rice and maize – supply more than half of the global protein and calorie intake. Relatively few modern varieties are planted on every continent, account- ing for almost three-quarters of the land under cultivation, where they have supplanted the diversity that once existed. Farm animals have been affected by a similar trend. The success of Holstein-Friesian cattle seemingly knows no bounds. This highly productive breed is now dominant, making up 60% of European and 90% of North American dairy cattle. Many developing countries are becoming increasingly reliant on industrial dairy production, and are supporting cross-breeding programmes using Holstein- Friesian and other exotic high-performance breeds. But it will take more than a handful of species to feed the world population and secure its income in the long term. It is important to retain a broad genetic base of our major crops and farm animals, so as to allow for breeding activ- ities to adapt plants and animals to changing environmental conditions, market requirements or new pests and diseases. At the same time, increasing the number of species in agricultural systems helps to raise their all-important buffer capacity.The 1996 Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources makes specific reference to promoting development and commercialization of under utilized crops and species. The same goals were adopted by the World Food Summit (Rome, 1996), because underutilized species make an essential contribution to food security and poverty reduction. If a proportion of the major food crops in production were replaced or supplemented with underutilized plants and breeds, this would not only increase the number of species in production but would also result in a healthier and more diverse nutritional base.
What are "Underutilized" species ?
The term underutilized species – referring to animals, crop plants, wild or semi-wild plants – applies to those species which appear to have considerable potential for use yet whose potential is barely ex- ploited, if not totally neglected, in agricultural production. For exam- ple, there are numerous plants which are particularly well adapted to specific sites and agricultural production systems. This category in- cludes crops like yams, the 'Inca wheat' quinoa, and many species of tropical fruits and vegetables. The reasons for the underutilization of such species vary: it may be that their useful traits are not well known; perhaps there is little pro- cessing or marketing capacity, or a lack of interest on the part of agricultural research. 'Taro', the tuberous root of Colocasia esculen- ta is an example of a species overlooked by science. Although it is one of the staple foods in Africa, Asia and Latin America, there has been less research on taro than on asparagus.
Instead of 'underutilized' species, the related terms 'minor', 'local', 'neglected', or 'orphan' species are also used in literature. These terms all focus on certain aspects which restrict a wider use, for ex- ample the fact that they have been 'neglected' by scientific institu- tions, or that they are of 'minor' economic importance. Other authors have suggested the terms 'alternative' or 'promising' species to highlight their potential.
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What underutilized species can offer
Greater food security
Local crops and animal breeds can in- crease food security, particularly if they are adapted to specific marginal agricultural conditions. Diversification is a means of risk reduction.
Healthy nutrition
Many underutilized crops have important nu- tritional qualities, such as a high fat content, high quality pro- teins (essential amino acids), a high level of minerals (such as iron), vitamins, or other valuable nutrients which have not yet been described satisfactorily. They are therefore a significant complement to the 'major' cereals and serve to prevent or com- bat the hidden hunger – a diet deficient in vitamins, minerals and trace elements – which is prevalent in developing countries.
Income generation
Underutilized species are capable of sup- plying both foodstuffs and industrial raw materials, which will of- fer new opportunities for income generation if their market po- tential is successfully recognized and developed.
Poverty reduction
Many underutilized plant species and breeds require few, if any, external inputs for production. This is an incalculable advantage, especially for poor sections of the population. For example, local cattle breeds can thrive without fodder supplements and preventative veterinary treatments. While they may be less productive, their performance remains consistent when conditions are less than ideal. Local crops pro- duce lower but stable yields even on marginal land and without additional inputs of mineral fertilizers and pesticides. If the land in question does not belong to the farmers, it may still be possi- ble to use wild or semi-cultivated species (such as medicinal herbs, dyes, etc.).
Sustainable use of natural resources
Locally adapted crops and animal breeds offer potential for the sustainable use of more challenging sites, such as semi-arid or mountain regions. A well-known example is that local cattle breeds are often less destructive to the vegetation cover on slope land than (heavier) high performance breeds. Local crop species and varieties fit easily into traditional sustainable farming systems geared to- wards maintaining or restoring soil fertility, like mixed cropping and agroforestry.
Indigenous knowledge and cultural identity
Many smallhol- ders possess very specific knowledge of cultivation and pro- cessing techniques for underutilized species and their diverse uses. It is not unusual for certain plant or animal species to be of great spiritual importance for the people and their cultural identity.
What are the limitations on use?
Lack of market infrastructure
Many underutilized crops and animal products are used almost exclusively for the farmers' own subsistence, even where the potential exists to market them more extensively. This is due to the lack of infrastructure for marketing products of suitable quality and in appropriate quantities to potential customers.
Lack of technologies
Traditionally, underutilized plant and an- imal products have been processed manually on farms, often using labour-intensive and time-consuming methods. To ex- pand the scale of production, efficient technologies must be de- veloped for manufacturing, storage and processing, to ensure that quality standards can be met.
Lack of knowledge and erosion of cultural diversity
Often, neither scientists nor consumers are aware of the nutritional val- ue, medicinal properties or other special characteristics of these products. Indeed, fundamentally negative attitudes may prevail towards local traditions. In extreme cases, indigenous culinary traditions and local specialities may be dismissed as 'old-fash- ioned' or 'paupers' food'.
Lack of political support
The food security programmes in many developing countries are based on agricultural policies which favour the 'green revolution crops' and focus exclusively on maize, wheat or rice, and export crops. In animal production, the emphasis has long been on promoting the use of high-per- formance breeds, even though they only produce high yields in ideal production conditions. Incentives, subsidies and loan pro- grammes for this type of agricultural production distort the mar- ket, to the detriment of traditional crop varieties and animal breeds. Complicated authorization procedures can also be an obstacle to accessing new international markets. One example is the Novel Food Regulation of the European Union, which requires extensive safety-testing of novel foodstuffs on public health grounds before they can be introduced to the European market. In addition to the reasons mentioned, there are certainly other causes of underutilization which are not so easily remedied, at least not in the short term; for example, low yields, unpalatable flavours or poor keeping qualities.
New strategies to promote use
Before strategies can be developed to promote use of a species, careful analysis is needed of its potential and the fac- tors constraining its use. Essentially, two different approaches are possible:
The commodity chain approachaims to develop the market potential of a particular species or product by strengthening weak points in the value chain.
The livelihood approach is an effort to exploit the full liveli- hood potential. It seeks to find better uses for the species in relation to the producers' life situation, e.g. for their nutrition, for their health, to strengthen their cultural identity, and to conserve natural resources.
Both approaches can combine various strategic steps to pro- mote their product: optimizing production and storage meth- ods, improving quality standards, processing and marketing, strengthening organizational structures, lobbying, awareness- raising and public relations work. Essentially, promoting the use of underutilized species is most successful when it does not concentrate on one product in isolation but forms part of a regional development concept. Of course, the technologies and social structures deployed with- in the project must be sustainable. In the case of export prod- ucts, it often makes sense to team up with Fair Trade and or- ganic initiatives. In the long term, the promotion of underutilized species must be mainstreamed into regional and national development strategies, and research and advisory work must take up the cause of species with high potential. The main point is not to carry out isolated projects, but to make a lasting impact by reversing the loss of agricultural diversity.
References and further information
Sourcebook on Sustainable Agrobiodiversity Management
GTZ (2002): Protection by Utilization - Economic Potential of Neglected Breeds and Crops in Rural Development. GTZ, Eschborn, Germany.
E. Thies (2000): Promising and Underutilized Species, Crops and Breeds. GTZ, Eschborn, Germany.
S. Gündel, I. Höschle-Zeledon, B. Krause & K. Probst (eds.) (2004): Under-utilized Plant Species and Poverty Alleviation. International Workshop , 6.-8. May 2003, Leipzig/Germany. InWEnt, Zschortau, Germany.
ILEIA (2004): Valuing crop diversity. LEISA Magazine 20 (1). (see http://www.leisa.info)
http://www.gtz.de/agrobiodivhttp://www.underutilized-species.orghttp://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Institute/fact_nus.htm
