Vol. 9, Issue 3 (2020)

Author(s):
M Sharath Chandra, RK Naresh, OVS Thenua, Rajat Singh and D Geethanjali

Abstract:
Underutilized and neglected crops species are ancient indigenous crop species which are still used at some level within the local, national or even international communities, but have the potential to contribute to food security, nutrition, dietary and culinary diversification, health and income generation. The neglected and underutilized crops included such as cereals and pseudo cereals, legumes, vegetables, oilseeds, roots and tubers, aromatic and medicinal plants, fruits and nuts etc. Neglected and Underutilized crops are lesser-known plant species in terms of marketing and research, but well adapted to marginal biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Where these crops have been traditionally under cultivation and intrinsically linked with food security, livelihood and cultural identity of local rural communities in the breadbasket of India. These crops by virtue of their extremely high resilience to the harsh agro-climatic conditions, particularly in marginal soils, hilly terrain and under aberrant rainfall, are well adapted to offer a dependable level of food security to the poor. They are also valued for their better nutritious profile of the grains and high quality straw. The grains have high bio-available minerals, particularly calcium and iron, vitamins, dietary fibre, and other phyto-chemicals. Their unique physico-chemical composition renders them slow digestible and with low glycemic index, which is a valued nutraceutical property in food grains. The long shelf life of these grains is also an attribute preferred by the communities living in regions characterized by poor communication. The potential of neglected and underutilised crops with respect to how they can contribute to tropical challenges, such as food and nutrition security, human health and well–being, climate change adaptation, the environment, and employment creation in poor rural communities in India. This review paper collected literature has been an overview for improving resource conservation to address one aspect of the challenge that faces us if we want to diversify crops and increase the contribution of productivity and profitability that neglected and underutilized crops towards food security.