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  • Publication | 2021
Global manifesto on forgotten foods
Global Food and Nutrition Security

Overview:

This Manifesto on Forgotten Foods1 is the result of a broad and intensive consultation process carried out in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. It was facilitated by GFAR as part of its Collective Actions to Empower Farmers at the Center of Innovation; led by a coalition of Regional Research Organizations and their partners, in particular, AARINENA, APAARI, FARA; and supported by CFF, and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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.

Call for action:

Key Demands:

  1. Recognize and support smallholder farmers and their communities as custodians of knowledge and good practice.
  2. Invest in research and development of forgotten crops that are resilient and well-adapted to various environments.
  3. Provide policy and economic support to promote economic development through farmer-based small and medium enterprises.
  4. Promote gender transformative approaches to overcome social, cultural, and other forms of inequality.
  5. Bring farmer communities to the center stage of development, research, and innovation as co-producers of knowledge and practices.

Immediate Action:

  1. Launch an awareness-raising campaign to recognize and value forgotten foods.
  2. Compile comprehensive inventories and assessments of forgotten foods.
  3. Establish South-South and South-North research networks and platforms.
  4. Target capacity development and strengthening activities for all stakeholders.

Medium- and Long-term Action:

  1. Collaborate with farmers to develop solutions to challenges related to forgotten food species and varieties.
  2. Create better access to markets through short supply chains and alternative retail structures.
  3. Support the conservation and improvement of indigenous, local crop species and varieties.
  4. Use advocacy and evidence-based policy change to create incentives for forgotten foods.
  5. Develop new education programs to promote forgotten foods.
  6. Mobilize targeted and sustainable investment in research and innovation capacities, technologies, and infrastructure for forgotten foods.