Realizing the potential of neglected crops in Latin America

Recent crisis-driven increases in food and nutrition insecurity, coupled with the growing threat of climate change, have highlighted the need for drastic changes in our food systems. In this context, expanding the cultivation and consumption of neglected crops presents a valuable opportunity to improve livelihoods and nutrition and reduce environmental impacts of food production—if sufficient resources can be invested into research and development. Neglected crops have historically provided a healthy source of food to local communities, but fell out of production in favor of modern staples such as standard varieties of maize, rice, and wheat.