The first ever inventory of underutilized species and less known food plants in the Asia-Pacific Region has been released by Bioversity International.

The inventory includes underutilized cultivated food plants, pseudocereals, millets, grain legumes, root/tuber crops, vegetables, fruits and nuts; many of which are suitable for agroforestry development.

Species for priority research and development are identified based on criteria such as recognition by national programs, existing germplasm collections, research capacity and potential uses. Nutritional aspects of individual species are also described.

In the full report released in 2014, concerns about the promotion of these and other underutilized crop species are discussed as well as policy implications.

Read the story by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): Bioversity International Releases Inventory of Asia-Pacific Underutilized Crops

Download the publication: Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species: An Asia-Pacific Perspective