Strengthening Demand for Neglected and Underutilized Crops: A Summary Report of a Workshop Focused on the ‘Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils’ Initiative

By:
GAIN
Date:
2024
Resource type:
Blogs/news/opinion
Link:

This report summarizes a workshop discussing strategies to increase demand for neglected and underutilized crops (NUS) under the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) initiative.

Key findings:

Over-reliance on a few staple crops (rice, wheat, maize) increases food system vulnerability.
VACS supports seed research, soil health, and diversification into indigenous African crops.
Consumer demand and market development must be addressed to ensure the success of NUS.
Policy coordination and local food system analyses are needed to integrate NUS into mainstream diets.
A Community of Practice (CoP) is proposed to foster collaboration among stakeholders in agriculture and nutrition.
The workshop concluded that transforming food systems requires not just agricultural interventions but also shifts in market dynamics and consumer behavior.

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