Overview:

This publication explores the significance of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) in achieving food and nutrition security, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). SSA faces increasing water scarcity, food and nutrition insecurity, poverty under climate change. Under these circumstances, promoting locally adapted and nutrient-dense crops is touted as a plausible climate adaptation strategy. The document highlights the nutritional potential, resilience to climate change, and the ability of NUS to contribute to sustainable agricultural systems. It examines key drivers and barriers affecting the adoption of these crops, as well as the policy and market factors influencing their integration into food systems.

Key Findings:

1. Nutritional Value and Dietary Potential: Traditional crops such as millets, sorghum, fonio, and amaranth are rich in micronutrients, essential amino acids, and dietary fiber. They offer improved dietary diversity, particularly for vulnerable groups, including children under five, adolescents, and women of reproductive age. These crops have the potential to combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in resource-limited settings.

2. Barriers to consumer Adoption: Some NUS crops are perceived as "poor man's food," leading to low acceptance (cultural and behavioral factors). Many traditional crops require extensive preparation, limiting their appeal to urban consumers (processing and cooking challenges). Limited availability in formal markets and supermarkets restricts consumer access.

3. Environmental benefits and challenges: Compared to staple crops, many traditional crops require fewer external inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reducing environmental degradation. They contribute to soil health, enhance biodiversity, and require less water, making them suitable for drought-prone regions.

4. Climate resilience: Traditional crops are better adapted to extreme weather events, such as droughts and erratic rainfall. They can serve as buffer crops, ensuring food security during lean seasons.

5. Challenges for farmers: Low consumer interest affects production incentives. Poor seed systems and a lack of processing infrastructure hinder scalability. Women, who often cultivate these crops, face barriers in accessing land, credit, and markets.

6. Policy and Institutional Support: Policies favoring staple crops such as maize and rice marginalize NUS. Institutional barriers, including restrictive seed laws, limit the expansion of traditional crops. Successful initiatives, such as community seed banks and school feeding programs, have demonstrated the potential for scaling up traditional crops.

Recommendations:

Some NUS have received increasing recognition for their potential in the past decade. However, this is neither universal nor systematic, which makes scaling up necessary but challenging. Consequently, progress in mainstreaming NUS in local food systems continues to lag. Despite these challenges, NUS remains sub-Saharan Africa’s better-bet option for diversifying food systems and transitioning them to be equitable, inclusive, resilient and healthy; hence, NUS provide positive outcomes for people and the planet under climate change.

• Strengthen value chains: Improve seed availability, processing technology, and market linkages.

• Consumer awareness campaigns: Educate the public on the nutritional benefits of traditional crops.

• Policy reforms: Implement subsidies and incentives for NUS production, like those provided for staple crops.

• Climate-smart agriculture: Promote traditional crops as part of climate adaptation strategies.

• Gender-inclusive approaches: Enhance women’s participation in agricultural decision-making and market access related to NUS.