Tapping the Potential of Neglected and Underutilized Food Crops for Sustainable Nutrition Security in the Mountains of Pakistan and Nepal

Abstract

Neglected and underutilized food crops (NUFCs) have high nutritional value, but their role in achieving nutrition security is not adequately understood, and they do not feature in food and nutrition policies and programs of the countries of the Hindu-Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. Drawing examples from Pakistan and Nepal, this study investigates the importance of NUFCs in achieving nutrition security in the mountains and identifies key underlying reasons for the decline in their cultivation and use. The study found that the prevalence of malnutrition is significantly higher in the mountains than nationally in both Pakistan and Nepal and identifies the decline in the cultivation and use of micronutrient-rich NUFCs as one of the key reasons for this. The deterioration of local food systems, changing food habits, lack of knowledge about the cultivation, use and nutritional value of NUFCs and lack of attention to NUFCs in programs and policies are the key reasons for the abandoning of NUFCs by mountain communities. There is an urgent need to mainstream these crops into national programs and policies and to integrate them into local food systems. This will not only improve the nutrition security of mountain areas, but also biodiversity and local mountain economies.

Climate change-induced hazards and local adaptations in agriculture: a study from Koshi River Basin, Nepal

“…This study attempted to investigate local people's perspectives on challenges related to climate change, agricultural adaptation measures, and the socioeconomic factors which may influence a households' decision to take adaptive action. Traditionally, agriculture contributed significantly to the food security and livelihoods of households in the KRB by providing a diversity of food and contributing to household income (Hussain et al 2016;Adhikari et al 2017). However, the contribution of agriculture to household food consumption and household income has declined significantly over time (ISET 2008).…”

“…Strategies could focus on introducing alternative high value crops such as fruit and vegetables to improve farmers' income in such zones. In highaltitude areas such as Dolakha, traditional food crops such as beans and barley that are more resilient to climate change could be integrated into the local food systems (Adhikari et al 2017). …”

“…This may be attributed in part to the decline in production of some of the major staple food crops and replacement with cash crops for income 1 3 rather than consumption, as well as increasing demand for food from the growing population which cannot be met by increased production from the small landholdings. Growing demand for processed food items, especially among young people, is another important factor adding to the dependence on external food items (Adhikari et al 2017). The increased dependence on food obtained from elsewhere is reflected in the reported distribution of household expenditure, with 58% required for food and only 42% for other items (Fig.…”

Changing Trends in Cultivation Practices and Adoption of Climate Adaptive Farming in Eastern Nepal

“…Farmers have reduced the cultivation of barley and buckwheat due to lack of manpower, and they have neglected and underutilized food crops (NUFCs). The NUFCs are important for ensuring sufficient supply of micronutrients to the human body, as their nutritional values are comparable to advanced cereal (rice, maize and wheat) (NNS, 2011;Adhikari et al, 2017). Thus, changing local food systems, food habits, existing policies and lack of nutritional knowledge, farmers have compromised food and nutritional security along with the traditional crops.…”

Food Security and Translocal Livelihoods in High Mountains: Evidence from Ladakh, India

“…A ''crowding out of traditional micro-nutrient rich food crops'' (Pingali et al 2017:77) has been described to explain this phenomenon for many regions of Asia. This change in consumption patterns, with a preference for processed food items and fine grains, has possible impacts on the nutritional status (Rasul et al 2016;Adhikari et al 2017). Sociocultural preferences, such as the appreciation of barley and changing food choices, further influence the dietary pattern.…”