Underutilized Crop Species for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Underutilized crop species, often termed neglected or orphan crops, encompass a diverse array of plants that have historically supported local diets yet remain peripheral to mainstream agriculture. These species exhibit innate resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, thrive in marginal environments and possess unique nutritional profiles that can complement staple cereals and legumes. Their integration into farming systems can enhance agro-biodiversity, reduce dependency on a handful of major crops and foster sustainable land use by lowering input requirements and greenhouse gas emissions. Research has highlighted the potential of these crops to address micronutrient deficiencies through biofortification and to serve as genetic reservoirs for future breeding efforts. Practical applications include intercropping underutilized legumes to fix nitrogen, introducing drought-tolerant grains into arid regions, and promoting traditional vegetables rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Globally, smallholder farmers and indigenous communities have maintained valuable landraces, offering a living library of traits suited to local conditions. Unlocking this potential demands coordinated efforts in agronomy, seed systems, post-harvest handling and market development. By bridging policy, research and community engagement, underutilized crop species can contribute to diversified diets, resilient livelihoods and climate-smart agriculture.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Underutilized Crop Species for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in underutilized crop species for food security and sustainable agriculture across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Underutilized crop species: Plant species cultivated or gathered at low levels despite recognised nutritional or agronomic benefits.

Orphan crops: A subset of underutilized species that lack substantial research investment, formal breeding or commercialisation.

Agro-biodiversity: The variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture.

Landrace: A locally adapted crop variety developed over time through traditional farming practices, exhibiting genetic diversity and environmental resilience.

Biofortification: The process of increasing the nutrient content of crops through conventional breeding or modern biotechnology to address micronutrient deficiencies.

References

1. Prospects of orphan crops in climate change. Planta (2019).
2. The Potential Role of Neglected and Underutilised Crop Species as Future Crops under Water Scarce Conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2015).
3. Potential of Underutilized Traditional Vegetables and Legume Crops to Contribute to Food and Nutritional Security, Income and More Sustainable Production Systems. Sustainability (2014).
4. African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC): status of developing genomic resources for African orphan crops. Planta (2019).
5. Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species: The Key to Improving Dietary Diversity and Fighting Hunger and Malnutrition in Asia and the Pacific. Frontiers in Nutrition (2020).
6. Developing a Roadmap for Improving Neglected and Underutilized Crops: A Case Study of South Africa. Frontiers in Plant Science (2017).
7. Mainstreaming Underutilized Indigenous and Traditional Crops into Food Systems: A South African Perspective. Sustainability (2018).
8. Local Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems: The Contribution of Orphan Crops and Wild Edible Species. Agronomy (2020).
9. The Value of Native Plants and Local Production in an Era of Global Agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science (2017).