Overview: 

The Global Manifesto on Forgotten Foods is a collaborative initiative aiming to revive and promote neglected and underutilized species (NUS) for food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Developed through extensive consultations across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, the manifesto highlights the role of forgotten foods in enhancing biodiversity, improving resilience to climate change, and supporting smallholder farmers. The document calls for urgent policy, research, and development interventions to integrate forgotten foods into global food systems.

Key Findings:

• Importance of forgotten foods: Forgotten foods include cultivated, semi-domesticated, and wild species that have historically contributed to food, fiber, medicine, and income. These crops are rich in essential nutrients, contribute to food security, and promote cultural heritage and biodiversity. They are resilient to harsh environmental conditions and require fewer inputs, making them ideal for sustainable agriculture.

• Challenges facing forgotten foods: Modern agriculture prioritizes staple crops, leading to the marginalization of traditional food systems. Population growth, land expansion for cash crops, and changing dietary habits reduce the cultivation and consumption of forgotten foods. Lack of research, poor market infrastructure, limited policy support, and negative consumer perceptions hinder the adoption of these crops.

• Opportunities for integration: Forgotten foods can enhance the resilience of the food system against climate change and economic instability. Strengthening value chains and processing innovations can improve their marketability. Conservation efforts and participatory research involving smallholder farmers can ensure the sustainability of forgotten foods.

Recommendations:

• Policy and research support: Governments should integrate forgotten foods into agricultural, health, and environmental policies. Increased funding for research and innovation is needed to improve agronomic practices, seed systems, and market access.

• Market and value chain development: Strengthening market linkages and processing innovations can increase demand and economic viability. Investment in seed systems and farming cooperatives can boost production and commercialization.

• Consumer Awareness and Education: Campaigns and school programs should educate the public on the nutritional and cultural value of forgotten foods. Training initiatives should empower smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, to participate in value-added production.

• Biodiversity and Conservation Efforts: Establishing gene banks and community seed networks can help preserve traditional crop varieties. Agroecological practices should be promoted to maintain soil health and ecosystem stability.