NEGLECTED UNDERUTILIZED CROPS SPECIES

Neglected and Underutilized crop Species, commonly known as NUS, orphan crops, or forgotten crops, have received more attention in the past decade. Indeed, the intensification of agriculture, in particular the Green Revolution, has led to a reduction in the number of cultivated species, and a large homogenization of diets and farming landscapes, leaving aside, concerning research and economics, a large number of species, yet still cultivated. These are regaining prominence in a context of greater attention to food and nutrition sovereignty and security, poverty reduction, and increasing the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems. 

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As part of the EWA-BELT project, the choice of species studied was made by the various partners about the development potential of the species, in terms of yield or nutritional properties, drought tolerance, disease resistance, and commercial value. Pre-existing knowledge on environmental contexts, agronomic and nutritional potentials, and uses in Africa was compiled in a literature review (A), and supplemented locally by surveys and interviews (B). The knowledge gathered will be used to create a public database to make the results accessible to multiple stakeholders.