Underutilized Varieties

Only 150 plant species are used and commercialized on a significant global scale despite the fact that an estimated 7000 species are important to people’s livelihoods and have significant potential for commercialization. Many underutilized plant species provide important environmental services, as they are adapted to marginal soil and climate conditions. Organic underutilized varieties are both cultivated and collected in the wild.

A research gap in organic production and collection of underutilized varieties persists and presents substantial opportunity for future research. Bioversity International, which is engaged in research and promotion of underutilized crops and has done some research on organics, does not have a focus on organic production and collection but is nonetheless a valuable resource for information on underutilized varieties.