Underutilized crops

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Underutilized crops are plants that are cultivated to a significantly smaller degree than they demonstrably could be. Just three crops - maize, wheat and rice - account for about half of the world's consumption of protein and calories. 95% of the world's food needs are provided for by just 30 species of plant. In stark contrast, an estimated 7,500 species are considered edible in the world today. Underutilized plants are those that could be - and, in many cases, historically have been - used for food on a large scale.

The terms "underutilized crops" or "underutilized species" have come into common use in recent years through the activities of such organizations and conferences as:

To be considered as an "underutilized crop", a plant must meet three criteria:

  • Proven food or energy value
  • Proven able to be cultivated. Either:
  • The plant has been widely cultivated in the past, or
  • The plant is currently cultivated in a limited geographical area
  • Currently cultivated less than other comparable plants

There is no implication that these plants should necessarily be cultivated - some have passed into disuse because other plants have taken their place, in many cases for very good reasons. Many such plants are included on lists of underutilized plant species published by these, and similar organizations.

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