[en] Neglected and underutilized crop species (NUCS) are valuable sources of food and income for several rural households in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A thorough understanding of their diversity, uses, socioeconomic roles, and factors for their neglect would be necessary for guiding promotion efforts. This study was conducted in two steps: (1) interviews with rural households involved in NUCS production and trade, and (2) greenhouse characterization of the two most popular NUCS ′ morphotypes, African nightshade and amaranth, from Walungu and Kabare territories, eastern DRC. About 19% of farmers of the entire study area were involved in NUCS production. We identified 22 and 23 NUCS used in Kabare and Walungu territories, respectively. These species belonged to 19 botanical families, among which Solanaceae (~24% in Walungu and ~11 in Kabare) and Fabaceae (8% in Walungu and 11% in Kabare) were the most dominant families. They were of different ranges: grasses and herbs (62%), shrubs (20%), thorns (2%), and trees (16%). These species were used whether for nutritional (60%), medicinal (7%), or both nutritional and medicinal values (33%). NUCS' market value was low, and thus, discouraged further investment in their farming. The seed delivery system was informal, dominated by farmer-saved seed, seed from local markets, and farmer seed exchange. Characterization experiment for the most popular leafy NUCS showed differences among collected morphotypes for most traits, with some local genotypes outperforming exogenous commercial varieties. Supply of quality seed, training of farmers on the most appropriate cropping system, processing technologies, increased consumer awareness, linking research to policy, and increasing market opportunities for smallholder farmers are strategies for promoting wide use of these crops in eastern DRC.
African Union, Malabo declaration on accelerated agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods. African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2014.
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018. Building Climate Resilience for Food Security and Nutrition. 2018, FAO, Rome, Italy.
FAO, W.F.P., IFAD. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012: Economic Growth Is Necessary but Not Sufficient to Accelerate Reduction of Hunger and Malnutrition. 2013, FAO, Rome, Italy.
Hunter, D., Borelli, T., Beltrame, D.M., Oliveira, C.N., Coradin, L., Wasike, V.W., Wasilwa, L., Mwai, J., Manjella, A., Samarasinghe, G.W., Madhujith, T., The potential of neglected and underutilized species for improving diets and nutrition. Planta 250:3 (2019), 709–729.
United Nations, Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; 2015 A/RES/70/1. 2015, United Nations, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Chivenge, P., Mabhaudhi, T., Modi, A.T., Mafongoya, P., The potential role of neglected and underutilised crop species as future crops under water scarce conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 12:6 (2015), 5685–5711.
Khoury, C.K., Bjorkman, A.D., Dempewolf, H., Ramirez-Villegas, J., Guarino, L., Jarvis, A., Rieseberg, L.H., Struik, P.C., Increasing homogeneity in global food supplies and the implications for food security. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Unit. States Am. 111:11 (2014), 4001–4006.
Padulosi, S., Thompson, J., Rudebjer, P., Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition with Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS): Needs, Challenges and the Way Forward. 2013, Bioversity International, Rome, Italy.
Prasad, M., Omics of neglected and underutilized crop species: one small step for NUCS, one giant leap for addressing global hunger. Nucleus 63 (2020), 213–215, 10.1007/s13237-020-00342-z.
Bandula, A., Nath, T.K., Underutilized crops in the agricultural farms of southeastern Sri Lanka: farmers' knowledge, preference, and contribution to household economy. Econ. Bot. 74:2 (2020), 126–139.
Dansi, A., Vodouhè, R., Azokpota, P., Yedomonhan, H., Assogba, P., Adjatin, A., Loko, Y.L., Dossou-Aminon, I., Akpagana, K., Diversity of the neglected and underutilized crop species of importance in Benin. The ScientificWorld Journal, 19p, 2012, 10.1100/2012/932947.
Tadele, Z., Orphan crops: their importance and the urgency of improvement. Planta 250:3 (2019), 677–694.
Mabhaudhi, T., Chimonyo, V.G., Chibarabada, T.P., Modi, A.T., Developing a roadmap for improving neglected and underutilized crops: a case study of South Africa. Front. Plant Sci., 8, 2017, 2143.
Kamenya, S.N., Mikwa, E.O., Song, B., Odeny, D.A., Genetics and breeding for climate change in Orphan crops. Theor. Appl. Genet. 134 (2021), 1787–1815, 10.1007/s00122-020-03755-1.
McMullin, S., Stadlmayr, B., Mausch, K., Revoredo-Giha, C., Burnett, F., Guarino, L., Brouwer, I.D., Jamnadass, R., Graudal, L., Powell, W., Dawson, I.K., Determining appropriate interventions to mainstream nutritious orphan crops into African food systems. Global Food Security, 28, 2021, 100465.
Imathiu, S., Neglected and underutilized cultivated crops with respect to indigenous African leafy vegetables for food and nutrition security. Journal of Food Security 9:3 (2021), 115–125.
Revoredo-Giha, C., Zavala-Nacul, H., Toma, L., Assessing an increase of orphan crops in the Kenyan diet. International Association of Agricultural Economists, Virtual Conference, 31, 2021, 2021 17,8.
Mondo, J.M., Irenge, A.B., Ayagirwe, R.B., Dontsop-Nguezet, P.M., Karume, K., Njukwe, E., Mapatano, S.M., Zamukulu, P.M., Basimine, G.C., Musungayi, E.M., Mbusa, H.K., Kazamwali, M., Civava, R., Mushagalusa, G.N., Determinants of adoption and farmers' preferences for cassava varieties in Kabare territory, eastern democratic republic of Congo. American Journal of Rural Development 7:2 (2019), 44–52.
Emmanuel, O.C., Babalola, O.O., Amaranth production and consumption in South Africa: the challenges of sustainability for food and nutrition security. Int. J. Agric. Sustain., 2021, 1–12, 10.1080/14735903.2021.1940729.
Rudebjer, P.G., Meldrum, G., Padulosi, S., Hall, R., Hermanowicz, E., Exploiter le potentiel des espèces négligées et sous-utilisées: Note d'orientation, vol. 12p, 2014, Bioversity International, Rome, Italy.
Temu, A., Rudebjer, P., Yayé, A.D., Ochola, A.O., Curriculum Guide on Neglected and Underutilized Species: Combating Hunger and Malnutrition with Novel Species. African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education (ANAFE), Nairobi. 2016, Kenya and Bioversity International, Rome, Italy, 56p.
Padulosi, S., Eyzaquirre, P., Hodgkin, T., Challenges and strategies in promoting conservation and use of neglected and underutilized crop species. Perspectives on new crops and new uses, 1999, 140–145.
Ndjadi, S.S., Vumilia, R.K., Ahoton, L.E., Saidou, A., Orou, B.D., Mugumaarhahama, Y., Kazamwali, L.M., Mushagalusa, N.G., Typology and prospects for the improvement of market gardening systems in South-Kivu, Eastern DR Congo. J. Agric. Sci. 12:6 (2020), 136–152.
Nyonje, W.A., Yang, R.Y., Wu, W.J., Makokha, A.O., Owino, W.O., Abukutsa-Onyango, M.O., Enhancing the nutritional quality of vegetable Amaranth through specific food preparation methods. J. Food Res. 10:4 (2021), 42–55.
Sarker, U., Oba, S., Color attributes, betacyanin, and carotenoid profiles, bioactive components, and radical quenching capacity in selected Amaranthus gangeticus leafy vegetables. Sci. Rep. 11:1 (2021), 1–14, 10.1038/s41598-021-91157-8.
Virchow, D., Indigenous Vegetables in East Africa: Sorted Out, Forgotten, Revitalised and Successful. New Crops and Uses: Their Role in a Rapidly Changing World. 2008, 79–100.
Irakiza, N.P., Chuma, B.G., Zongwe, L.T., Aganze, M.M., Mondo, M.J., Kulimushi, Z.P., Mapatano, S., Balezi, Z.A., Mushagalusa, N.G., Fortification with mushroom flour (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P.Kumm) and substitution of wheat flour by cassava flour in bread making: nutritional and technical implications in Eastern DR Congo. Agric. Food Secur., 301, 2021, 10.1186/s40066-021-00301-0.
Mwadzingeni, L., Afari-Sefa, V., Shimelis, H., N'Danikou, S., Figlan, S., Depenbusch, L., Shayanowako, A.I., Chagomoka, T., Mushayi, M., Schreinemachers, P., Derera, J., Unpacking the value of traditional African vegetables for food and nutrition security. Food Security 13 (2021), 1215–1226, 10.1007/s12571-021-01159-7.
Dawson, I.D., Barnes, A.P., Jamnadass, R., Danquah, E., Mumm, R.H., Hoad, S.P., Burnett, F.J., Hale, I., Mausch, K., Hendre, P., Powell, W., Breeders' views on the production of new and orphan crops in Africa: a survey of constraints and opportunities. ICRAF Working Paper No. 296. World Agroforestry, 2019, 10.5716/WP19007.PDF.
Mugumaarhahama, Y., Mondo, J.M., Cokola, M.C., Ndjadi, S.S., Mutwedu, V.B., Kazamwali, L.M., Cirezi, N.C., Chuma, G.B., Ndeko, A.B., Ayagirwe, R.B.B., Civava, R., Socio-economic Drivers of Improved Sweet Potato Varieties Adoption Among Smallholder Farmers in South-Kivu Province, DR Congo. 2021, Scientific African, e00818.
Pypers, P., Sanginga, J.M., Kasereka, B., Walangululu, M., Vanlauwe, B., Increased productivity through integrated soil fertility management in cassava–legume intercropping systems in the highlands of Sud-Kivu, DR Congo. Field Crop. Res. 120:1 (2011), 76–85.
Mangambu, M., Taxonomie, biogéographie et écologie des Ptéridophytes de l’écosystème forestier des montagnes du Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega à l'Est de la R.D. Congo. 2013, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Anvers, Anvers, Belgium, 463p.
Chuma, G.B., Bora, F.S., Ndeko, A.B., Mugumaarhahama, Y., Cirezi, N.C., Mondo, J.M., Bagula, E.M., Karume, K., Mushagalusa, G.N., Schimtz, S., Estimation of Soil Erosion Using RUSLE Modeling and Geospatial Tools in a Tea Production Watershed (Chisheke in Walungu), Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. 2021, Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 1–17.
Chuma, G.B., Mondo, J.M., Ndeko, A.B., Mugumaarhahama, Y., Bagula, E.M., Blaise, M., Valérie, M., Jacques, K., Karume, K., Mushagalusa, G.N., Forest cover affects gully expansion at the tropical watershed scale: case study of Luzinzi in Eastern DR Congo. Trees, Forests and People, 4, 2021, 100083.
Mondo, J., Balezi, A., Mugomoka, V., Zigashane, L., Bagula, E., Kashosi, T., Mushagalusa, G., Effets des milieux de culture (PDA, SDA, SPDA, blé et maïs) sur la productivité in vitro de la souche P969 du Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. Afrique Science 12:4 (2016), 374–381.
Naluwairo, R., Investing in orphan crops to improve food and livelihood security of Uganda's rural poor: policy Gaps, Opportunities and Recommendations. ACODE Policy Research Series, vol. 43, 2011, Kampala, Uganda, 2011.
Dawson, I.K., Attwood, S.J., Park, S.E., Jamnadass, R., Powell, W., Sunderland, T., Kindt, R., McMullin, S., Hoebe, P.N., Baddeley, J., et al. Contributions of Biodiversity to the Sustainable Intensification of Food Production. Thematic Study for the State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. 2019, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
Hendre, P.S., Muthemba, S., Kariba, R., Muchugi, A., Fu, Y., Chang, Y., Song, B., Liu, H., Liu, M., Liao, X., Sahu, S.K., African orphan crops Consortium (AOCC): status of developing genomic resources for African orphan crops. Planta 250 (2019), 989–1003.
Mondo, J.M., Bagula, E.M., Bisimwa, E.B., Bushunju, P.A., Mirindi, C.M., Kazamwali, L.M., Chirhuza, S.B., Karume, K., Mushagalusa, G.N., Benefits and drivers of farm mechanisation in Ruzizi plain, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Afr. Crop Sci. J. 28:1 (2020), 111–130.
Borelli, T., Hunter, D., Padulosi, S., Amaya, N., Meldrum, G., de Oliveira Beltrame, D.M., Samarasinghe, G., Wasike, V.W., Güner, B., Tan, A., Koreissi Dembélé, Y., Local solutions for sustainable food systems: the contribution of orphan crops and wild edible species. Agronomy, 10(2), 2020, 231.
Adewumi, A.S., Asare, P.A., Adu, M.O., Taah, K.J., Akaba, S., Mondo, J.M., Agre, P.A., Farmers' Perceptions on Varietal Diversity, Trait Preferences and Diversity Management of Bush Yam (Dioscorea Praehensilis Benth.) in Ghana. 2021, Scientific African, e00808.
