As climate change, biodiversity loss, and malnutrition continue to challenge global food systems, researchers, practitioners, and development organizations are increasingly turning their attention to indigenous and underutilised crops (IUCs) as part of the solution. Against this backdrop, the University of Hohenheim hosted the international symposium "Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Indigenous and Underutilised Crops: Rethinking Value Chains for Sustainable Food Futures"
Why Indigenous and Underutilised Crops Matter
Across Africa and other regions, many indigenous crops are rich in nutrients, adapted to local agroecological conditions, and capable of thriving under climatic stresses such as drought and heat. Yet most remain marginal in research agendas, seed systems, markets, and public policy.
Throughout the symposium, speakers emphasized that these crops offer opportunities to simultaneously address climate adaptation, dietary diversity, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods. However, realizing this potential will require moving beyond production-focused approaches and investing in the entire value chain—from breeding and seed systems to processing, markets, consumer awareness, and policy support.
Extracts of the agenda
Day 1: Agroecology of Indigenous and Underutilised Crops
The first day focused on the agroecological foundations of underutilised crops and their contribution to resilient food systems.
Keynote Speakers
- Prof. Ndiko Ludidi (University of Mpumalanga)
Using underutilised crops for food system resilience: from agroecology to human nutrition - Prof. Dr. Simone Graeff-Hoenninger (University of Hohenheim)
From underutilised crop to arising agronomic importance: the examples of hemp and chickpea - Dr. Ethel Phiri (Stellenbosch University)
From marginal to strategic: climate-resilient production systems for indigenous and underutilised crops
The discussions highlighted how crop diversity strengthens ecosystem resilience while providing nutritious food options for vulnerable communities. Speakers demonstrated how crops once considered "minor" can become strategically important under changing climatic conditions.
Day 2: Climate Resilience and Adaptation
The second day examined breeding, genetics, climate adaptation, and international efforts to promote crop diversity.
Keynote Speakers
- Prof. Dr. Karl Schmid (University of Hohenheim)
Improving the potential of underutilised crops by plant breeding using quinoa and amaranth as examples - Dr. Lembe S. Magwaza (Cranfield University)
The double role of underutilised crops for climate resilience and protein supply
International Organisation Perspectives
- Nico Wilms-Posen (Crop Trust)
Global initiatives for crop diversity - Simone Welte (Welthungerhilfe)
Nourishing Diversity: Unlocking the Nutritional Power of Opportunity Crops
These sessions reinforced the importance of genetic diversity and targeted breeding efforts to improve productivity and farmer adoption while maintaining the resilience traits that make these crops valuable.
The contribution from Welthungerhilfe highlighted recent evidence on "opportunity crops" such as millets, fonio, bambara groundnut, cowpea, pigeon pea, amaranth, and other neglected crops that offer significant nutrition and climate benefits.
Day 3: Creating Value Chains for Underutilised Crops
The final day shifted attention from production and adaptation to the challenge of building viable markets and sustainable value chains.
Keynote Speakers
- Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hess (University of Hohenheim)
Market challenges for niche products - Prof. Unathi Kolanisi (University of Zululand)
Food innovations and consumer acceptance of underutilised crops
A recurring message throughout the symposium was that the greatest challenge facing indigenous and underutilised crops is not proving their value, but creating enabling environments for their uptake. Despite their nutritional and environmental advantages, these crops often face barriers including weak seed systems, limited processing infrastructure, poor market access, low consumer awareness, and insufficient policy support.
Participants stressed that future investments should focus on developing inclusive value chains that connect producers, processors, retailers, researchers, and consumers. Such efforts would help transform underutilised crops from niche products into meaningful contributors to sustainable food systems.
Key Messages from the Symposium
Three major conclusions emerged:
- Indigenous and underutilised crops are critical assets for climate-resilient food systems, offering drought tolerance, biodiversity benefits, and adaptation potential that complement major staple crops.
- Their contribution to nutrition is often greater than their current economic visibility, with many species providing superior micronutrient density and dietary diversity compared to dominant commercial commodities.
- The future of these crops depends on value-chain development, including investment in research, breeding, seed systems, processing technologies, consumer awareness, and supportive public policies.
Looking Ahead
The symposium demonstrated growing momentum behind efforts to reposition indigenous and underutilised crops within agricultural research and development agendas. As governments, research institutions, and development organizations seek pathways toward sustainable food futures, these crops are increasingly viewed not as relics of traditional agriculture, but as strategic resources for achieving climate resilience, nutrition security, and agricultural sustainability.
The challenge now is to translate scientific evidence into coordinated action that enables farmers, consumers, and markets to realize their full potential.
