Neglected and underutilised species (NUS): An analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)
El Bilali, Hamid; Cardone, Gianluigi; De Falcis, Eleonora; Naino Jika, Abdel Kader; Rokka, Susanna; Diawara, Ali Badara; Nouhou, Bassirou; Ghione, Andrea (2023)
El Bilali, Hamid
Cardone, Gianluigi
De Falcis, Eleonora
Naino Jika, Abdel Kader
Rokka, Susanna
Diawara, Ali Badara
Nouhou, Bassirou
Ghione, Andrea
Julkaisusarja
AGROFOR International Journal
Volyymi
8
Numero
1
Sivut
19-29
University of East Sarajevo
2023
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2023041336368
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2023041336368
Tiivistelmä
Despite the growing attention to the neglected and underutilised species (NUS) as a
valid instrument to promote not only sustainable agriculture and food systems but
also sustainable development in rural areas, attempts to move from good intentions
to effective actions have been limited. This is due, among others, to a gap in
knowledge about the myriads of existing NUS and their potential. In this context,
the present paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats (SWOT) of crop NUS. Data for the SWOT analysis were
retrieved through a review of the literature carried out in June 2022 on the Web of
Science. Strengths relate, inter alia, to adaptability to harsh, marginal conditions,
tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g. pests and diseases, drought) and low
external input requirements of NUS as well as their high medicinal and nutritional
values combined with widespread culinary traditions. Weaknesses regard low
productivity as well as difficult access to quality seeds, inputs, technologies and
knowledge. Higher demand from consumers as well as increasing attention to
sustainability and resilience in the whole agri-food system and agroecology
represent opportunities for the promotion of NUS to address challenges such as
food and nutrition insecurity and poverty. Climate change, biodiversity loss and
genetic erosion, land and agroecosystem degradation, loss of traditional knowledge
and heritage, and competition from commercial crops are among the main threats
to NUS. The SWOT of NUS outlined in this work should inform evidence-based
policies and strategies for the promotion of NUS, especially in developing
countries. They should also guide the undertakings and actions of all stakeholders
interested in the development of NUS value chains.
valid instrument to promote not only sustainable agriculture and food systems but
also sustainable development in rural areas, attempts to move from good intentions
to effective actions have been limited. This is due, among others, to a gap in
knowledge about the myriads of existing NUS and their potential. In this context,
the present paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats (SWOT) of crop NUS. Data for the SWOT analysis were
retrieved through a review of the literature carried out in June 2022 on the Web of
Science. Strengths relate, inter alia, to adaptability to harsh, marginal conditions,
tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g. pests and diseases, drought) and low
external input requirements of NUS as well as their high medicinal and nutritional
values combined with widespread culinary traditions. Weaknesses regard low
productivity as well as difficult access to quality seeds, inputs, technologies and
knowledge. Higher demand from consumers as well as increasing attention to
sustainability and resilience in the whole agri-food system and agroecology
represent opportunities for the promotion of NUS to address challenges such as
food and nutrition insecurity and poverty. Climate change, biodiversity loss and
genetic erosion, land and agroecosystem degradation, loss of traditional knowledge
and heritage, and competition from commercial crops are among the main threats
to NUS. The SWOT of NUS outlined in this work should inform evidence-based
policies and strategies for the promotion of NUS, especially in developing
countries. They should also guide the undertakings and actions of all stakeholders
interested in the development of NUS value chains.
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