PRESENT STATUS, IMPORTANCE AND CHALLENGES OF NEGLECTED AND UNDERUTILIZED CROPS SPECIES (NUCS) IN NEPAL

Abstract

Globally, more than 30,000 plant species are edible. Out of them only 150 to 200 plant species are used by human beings and three of them are only rice ,wheat and maize (FAO 2011). About 84% of human diet and nutrition come from plants but human beings are more continuously consuming only a few different crops. Nepal ranks 49th in world for biodiversity richness. Among 577 cultivated species 484 are indigenous and 93 are introduced . About 85% of these cultivated crops are neglected and underutilized (Joshi et al., 2019). More than 83% of total cultivated area of Nepal is covered by just three crops i.e rice ,wheat and maize. In Nepal NUS are those crops species that are cultivated long time before but now being neglected and are not included in formal research and development. Such crops are Millet species such as Foxtail millet (Kaaguno) Proso millet (Chino), Taro (Pindaau), Sorghum (Junelo) etc. These crops are known for their high adaptability to changing climate, can be grown in marginal soil and harsh climatic condition. Beside their tolerance to abiotic stress these crops are nutritionally rich and play major role in combacting vitamin and micronutrient deficiency. The main aim of this paper is to review some of the important but neglected and underutilized crops species which have very important role in food and nutrition security.