The Sci Dev Net (http://www.scidev.net/  [5]) has just published  an interesting article about the importance of orphan crop research. Orphan crops, also known as NUS (neglected and underutilized species) are indispensable resources to the vast majority of developing countries. They have a critical role in climate change adaptation because of their resilience and tolerance to environmental stress. Our major food crops -like rice, wheat, corn and potatoes- are not enough to make up a robust diversified food system that can satisfy both macro and micro nutrients for our diets and at the same time  make cultivations more adapted to the increasing stress due to climate change.

But some important studies are helping us. More interesting findings are helping small holder farmers in developing countries to better practice the cultivation of orphan crops, especially species that have a strong cultural and traditional importance in a specific community or district. More and more projects are showing us the way on how to promote NUS through a farm-to-fork approach.. something we are very much keen to promoting through this web site.

For poor nations in Africa, the need to improve their neglected -but locally significant- crops is no longer an option but a dire need and we believe the momentum for joining hands to meet this goal has never been greater.