Orphan Crops for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security discusses the issues, challenges, needs and opportunities related to the promotion of orphan crops, known also as neglected
and underutilized species (NUS).
The book is structured into six parts, covering the following themes: introduction to
NUS, approaches, methods and tools for the use enhancement of NUS, integrated conservation
and use of minor millets, nutritional and food security roles of minor millets,
stakeholders and global champions, and, building an enabling environment. Presenting a
number of case studies at the regional and country levels, the chapters cover different but
highly interlinked aspects along the value chains, from acquisition and characterization of
genetic diversity, cultivation and harvesting to value addition, marketing, consumption
and policy for mainstreaming. Cross-cutting issues like gender, capacity building and
empowerment of vulnerable groups are also addressed by authors. Representatives from
communities, research for development agencies and the private sector also share their
reflections on the needs for the use enhancement of NUS from their own perspectives.
This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of food security, sustainable
agriculture, nutrition and health and development, as well as practitioners and policymakers
involved in building more resilient food and production systems.