Overview: 

This systematic review focuses on the potential of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) native to Southern Africa to enhance agricultural resilience in the face of climate change, natural disasters, The Southern African region suffers from drought and food system uncertainty with increased risks due to climate change, natural disasters, and global catastrophes. Increasing crop diversity with more appropriate and resilient crops is an effective way of increasing food system resilience. We focus on crop species that are native or naturalized to an area because of their increased resilience than those that are not naturally occurring. Additionally, crops that are easily stored are more useful in times of drought and disaster. In this systematic review, we use scientific interest in neglected and underutilized species (NUS) from Southern Africa to help define next steps toward their cultivation and development as a marketable crop.

Key Findings: 

Although scientific interest is minimal for storable Southern African NUS, these crops are worth scaling up due to their economic and nutritional value.

• Drought resilience: 85% of the identified NUS are drought-tolerant, making them suitable for Southern Africa's arid conditions.

• Nutritional value: Many NUS are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, offering significant nutritional benefits.

• Scientific interest: Out of 44 storable NUS reviewed, only 14 had significant scientific interest in food consumption, indicating a need for more research and development.

• Economic potential: Several NUS, such as Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) and Cleome gynandra (Spider Plant), have high economic potential due to their nutritional content, cultural importance, and adaptability to local conditions.

• Storage methods: Traditional storage methods, such as drying and fermentation, are effective for preserving NUS, making them valuable for long-term food security.

Recommendations: 

Next actionable steps and specific support for NUS production in a more agrobiodiverse and resilient agriculture system are outlined:

• Investment in NUS cultivation: The authors recommend investing in the domestication and scaling up of key NUS, such as Sclerocarya birrea, Cleome gynandra, Strychnos spinosa, Plectranthus esculentus, and Carpobrotus edulis, to improve agrobiodiversity and food resilience.

• Market development: Developing local and regional markets for NUS can create new income opportunities, especially for rural communities and women.

• Policy support: Governments and NGOs should provide incentives and support for the cultivation and commercialization of NUS, including infrastructure development, subsidies, and consumer awareness campaigns.

• Research and development: Further research is needed to explore the genetic, nutritional, and economic potential of NUS, with a focus on developing value chains and improving post-harvest processing.

• Integration into food systems: NUS should be integrated into existing food systems resilience programs, such as the Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa (FSRP), to enhance their adoption and impact.