The contribution of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) for sustainable agrifood systems transformation

26 March 2026. The contribution of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) for sustainable agrifood systems transformation

• Importance of neglected and underutilised species: why do they matter?”, by Sayed Azam-Ali, CEO, Crops For the Future CFF; Chair UN High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition; Chair (Emeritus) Global Food Security, University of Nottingham.

• From SUSTLIVES to AgriEcoNUS+: Scaling Agrobiodiversity and NUS-Based Food Systems in Africa”, by Hamid El Bilali, Researcher, CIHEAM Bari

• NUS from a value chain development perspective”, by Emmanuel Msuya, Marketing Programme Officer, SWISSAID Tanzania

Comment of Maureen Duru, coordinator of the GFAiR Collective Action on Forgotten Foods:

"How will all these interventions ensure that communities especially in Africa, who are custodians of many NUS, retain ownership and control over their genetic resources and traditional knowledge? Are there safeguards are in place to prevent biopiracy or unfair commercialization of African indigenous crops? If these are not in place, we will still have a system that that takes from the continent for the benefit of others."

"Can the EU or relevant projects also explore integrating African diaspora entrepreneurs as key actors in developing NUS value chains between Africa and Europe. The diaspora food markets have been sustaining farmers, processors and marketers working on NUS for years".

Highlight: Main brand producing Bambara groundnut noodles

🥢 WhatIF Foods (Singapore)

• 
  👉 This Singapore-based startup is the pioneer in commercializing Bambara-based noodles globally
  

Products:

• BAMnut instant noodles (“Only Noods”)
• Variants include pumpkin, moringa, charcoal, etc.

Key features:

• Made from Bambara groundnut flour (“BamNut”)
• High protein (~16–17g per serving) and high fiber
• Produced using air-frying instead of deep frying (no palm oil)

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Resources:

Hamid El Bilali et all (2024) Mapping Research on Bambara Groundnut in Africa Bibliometric, Geographical, and Topical Perspectives 33 p.

Reviews 180 scientific publications on Bambara groundnut across Africa. This article shows its strong potential for:

• food & nutrition security
• climate resilience
• livelihoods
• Identifies major gaps:
• weak research coverage in key producing countries
• limited work on markets, processing, and socio-economics

Hamid El Bilali et all (2020) Orphan crops in Burkina Faso and Niger: a systematic review

Analyses Bambara groundnut as a neglected and underutilized species (NUS). This article highlights key constraints:

• low productivity
• lack of improved varieties
• weak agronomic practices

Hamid El Bilali et all (2026) NEGLECTED AND UNDERUTILIZED CROP SPECIES (NUS) AND AGROECOLOGY IN WEST AFRICA 13 p.

There is a widespread agreement that West African food systems need to be transformed. Neglected and underutilised crop species (NUCS/NUS) and agroecology can play a vital role in making these systems more sustainable and resilient. Therefore, this systematic review analyses the multifaceted and multidimensional relationships between NUS and agroecology as well as the potential contribution of NUS to agroecological transition in West Africa.

Background:

SUSTLIVES (Sustainable Livelihoods in Smallholder Farming Systems) is an EU-funded research and innovation project focused on improving the resilience and sustainability of smallholder farmers—particularly in Africa—through agroecological approaches. It promotes diversified farming systems, soil health restoration, and climate-smart practices while integrating socio-economic dimensions such as income diversification, gender inclusion, and local value chains. A key feature of SUSTLIVES is its use of living labs and co-creation with farmers, ensuring that innovations are locally adapted and scalable. The project ultimately aims to strengthen livelihoods while contributing to broader food systems transformation and environmental sustainability.

AgriEcoNUS+ (Agroecology Network for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa – Plus) builds on earlier agroecology networking efforts to strengthen multi-actor collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue across Africa and Europe. The initiative focuses on scaling agroecological practices by connecting research institutions, farmer organizations, policymakers, and private sector actors. It emphasizes capacity building, evidence generation, and policy engagement, aiming to embed agroecology into national and continental strategies such as CAADP. AgriEcoNUS+ acts as a platform for coordination and influence, helping align projects, amplify impact, and support the transition toward sustainable, inclusive food systems.