Overview: 

This brief was prepared as a background document for FAO’s Technical Cooperation Program Project TCP/INT/3905, strengthening country capacities to enable forest-based contributions to healthy and sustainable agrifood systems. The project aims to: 1) strengthen and institutionalize capacities to generate data and knowledge on NWFPs, wild species and associated agrifood systems to facilitate the generation of scientifically sound evidence for policy and finance decision makers; 2) promote an enabling environment by enhancing multi-sectoral dialogue, interventions and policies, ensuring representation of women, indigenous peoples and local communities; and 3) upscale interventions in support of sustainable use of NWFPs, wild species and associated food systems, identified by national stakeholders during the implementation of the project. This brief is intended for forest, agriculture and health practitioners, landscape and land-use planners and associated decision and policymakers.

Key Findings: 

It reviews literature on the opportunities and challenges surrounding forest food and traditional food systems, focusing on three interrelated themes: 1) Nutrition, diversity and health; 2) Sustainable and adaptive management systems; and 3) Equitable and sustainable value chains. The review includes a collection of case studies on different forest and wild foods, and agrifood systems that integrate forest foods and wild species. The case studies include information on species use, markets and management practices, and threats to sustainability and equity. They help to make visible the knowledge, experience and livelihoods of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) and bring into view the widespread and critical management systems that feed much of the world’s population, but too often exist on the margins of policy, and lack support.

Recommendations: 

This brief concludes with recommendations for policymakers, government institutions, private sector entities and practitioners to help them make informed decisions in support of healthy, biodiverse and climate-resilient agrifood systems. This work is part of a larger effort to help catalyze agrifood systems transformation by taking stock of the contributions made by forests, trees and wild species. The intention is to stimulate further exploration of the importance of forests, trees, wild species and associated agrifood systems, identify steps to conserve and support these systems as part of addressing health, nutrition, food security, biodiversity, bioeconomy climate and other concerns, and support more informed and effective policies.