Scaling up Neglected and Underutilized Crops across Africa

In July 2024, the SUSTLIVES project organized a regional workshop at Joseph KI-ZERBO University in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The event gathered 42 experts representing research institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and policymaking bodies from across Africa. The workshop’s objective was to establish a multi-stakeholder platform (MSP), drive inter-country collaboration, and contribute to increased food security, nutrition, and climate resilience across the continent through the optimal use of local NUS.

Workshop Goals and Participants

The July workshop, part of the project's Activity on—Strengthening Inter-Country and International Dialogue, aimed to create a robust platform for NUS stakeholders across Africa. The workshop was designed to foster dialogue, encourage knowledge sharing, and develop a multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) that integrates research, policy, and market actors involved in NUS. The event featured key stakeholders, including gene bank managers, researchers, breeders, farmers' organizations, private sector representatives, and global organizations such as the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

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Knowledge exchange and on-going research

The workshop provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge on ongoing research and development efforts aimed at promoting NUS. A significant portion of the workshop focused on mapping existing platforms in Africa and examining their contributions to the NUS agenda. Notable networks like the African Orphan Crop Consortium (AOCC), the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), and CGIAR centers, such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), contributed to discussions on how best to support NUS through policy, seed systems, and market access. Several presentations were also made of on-going activities and programs on Nus in the continent. Most notably – African Orphan Crops Initiative of the World Forestry Center (ICRAF), Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT) programs on NUS in Southern Africa; some projects in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger and World Vegetable Center’s work on Traditional leafy vegetables in West Africa – Niger, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso. We also had an overview of some platforms on NUS such as the Alliance for Food African Food Sovereignty in Africa ( AFSA) mainly promoting the use and access of seeds of NUS in Africa and the promotion of NUS food systems in over 40 countries in Africa. We also had a glimpse of the country level platforms such as community seed bank platforms in Uganda and seed exchange platform in Kenya which encourage the use of and exchange of NUS seeds in Uganda and Kenya respectively. These were also identified as networks which we can use for the promotion of the regional NUS platform within our respective countries.

The project also identified some linkages with regional and global platforms such as the African Seed and Biotechnology Platform – ASBP through which research and breeding activities on NUS can be linked as well as NUS seed and food systems transformation. The platform could also be instrumental in policy development especially in relation to NUS seed and food systems transformations. The Forum for Agricultural research in Africa (FARA) is also another platform that was identified as key in ensuring collaborative efforts in research and dissemination of NUS innovations.

The International Treaty for Plant genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was also identified as one of the main platforms for the conservation use and management of use and also for the facilitated access and benefit sharing as well as the implementation of farmers’ rights. Proposed multi-stakeholder platform

One of the most critical outcomes was the proposal for a new multi-stakeholder platform for NUS in Africa. This platform aims to:

Enhance knowledge sharing: Facilitating the exchange of research findings, innovative practices, and lessons learned across countries.

Strengthen collaboration: Encouraging joint initiatives between researchers, policymakers, the private sector, and farmers’ groups to promote the sustainable use and commercialization of NUS.

Support biodiversity and food security: By improving access to quality seeds, enhancing seed systems, and linking NUS products to markets, the platform will help build more resilient food systems in Africa.

The proposed MSP will include representatives from diverse sectors:

Gene banks and researchers: Focus on NUS conservation and breeding, ensuring that these species are preserved and improved through scientific advancements.
Farmers and local communities: As the primary custodians of NUS, they will play a key role in conservation and sustainable farming practices.
Private sector and consumer groups: Vital for developing value chains, marketing NUS products, and building consumer awareness around the nutritional and environmental benefits of NUS.
NGOs and policy-makers: Responsible for capacity-building initiatives, advocacy, and supporting the integration of NUS into national and regional food policies.

Next steps for the Multi-stakeholder platform

The creation of the multi-stakeholder platform is a step forward in scaling up the use of NUS in Africa. As highlighted in the workshop, these species hold immense potential for improving food security and livelihoods, particularly in marginalized communities. The platform will act as a bridge between research and policy, ensuring that NUS are integrated into sustainable food systems and that their benefits are fully realized.

Moreover, the platform will foster capacity development through training and knowledge dissemination, enabling stakeholders at all levels to engage in the NUS agenda. By connecting farmers with researchers, seed banks, and market actors, the platform will help unlock new opportunities for NUS products, ultimately contributing to better nutrition, economic empowerment, and climate resilience across Africa.

The SUSTLIVES project, along with its partners, remains committed to ensuring that NUS receive the recognition and support they deserve, both at the policy level and within communities that rely on these species for their livelihoods.

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Conclusion

The SUSTLIVES workshop was a significant milestone in the journey to promoting neglected and underutilized species in Africa. With the foundation laid for a multi-stakeholder platform, the focus now shifts to implementation, fostering collaboration across countries, and ensuring that the potential of NUS is harnessed for a more sustainable and resilient future.

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