Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin

Abstract

Many of the plant species that are cultivated for food across the world are neglected and underutilized. To assess their diversity in Benin and identify the priority species and establish their research needs, a survey was conducted in 50 villages distributed throughout the country. The study revealed 41 neglected and underutilized crop species (NUCS) among which 19 were identified as of priority base on 10 criteria among which included their extent and degree of consumption. Reasons for neglect vary with the producers and the agricultural technicians. Market surveys revealed that NUCS are important source of household incomes and substantially contribute to poverty reduction. Review of the literature available revealed that most of the species are rich in nutrients and have some proven medicinal values and the promotion of their use would help in combating malnutrition and improving the health status of the local populations. The knowledge gaps and research needs are immense on most of the species identified as no concrete scientific data is nationally available. In terms of research, almost all has to be done starting from basic ethnobotanical investigation. The results will help the scientists and students willing to conduct research on NUCS in Benin to better orient their research programs.

Status of Underutilised Crops in South Africa: Opportunities for Developing Research Capacity

“…They are non-commodity crops and belong to a large, biodiverse group of domesticated, semi-domesticated or wild species and in most instances, are locally adapted [12]. They are managed within traditional systems, use informal seed systems and involve a strong gender element [13]. Today, these crops are receiving increasing recognition because of their potential role in mitigating risk in agricultural production systems and promoting food security [14].…”

Agromorphological characterization of Sesamum radiatum (Schum. and Thonn.), a neglected and underutilized species of traditional leafy vegetable of great importance in Benin)

“…With regard to the first millennium development goal which calls to combat extreme poverty and hunger, S. radiatum is one of the species to consider for promotion in the category of leafy vegetables in the agricultural sector. Despite its nutritional, medicinal and economic importance, the species has been poorly investigated and is currently classified among the so called neglected and under-utilized species (NUS) of Benin (Dansi et al, 2012). The development of an economically profitable production of any plant species like S. radiatum undoubtedly requires the use of improved high yielding varieties.…”

Ethnobotanical Investigation of Lippia multiflora Moldenke, a Local Aromatic Leafy Vegetable under Domestication in Benin

“…These steps as defined by Vodouhè et al (2011) and Dansi et al (2012) are as follow: -Step 0: Species entirely wild and collected only when needed; -Step 1: Wild species maintained in the fields when found during land preparation; -Step 2: Farmers start paying more attention to the preserved plants for their survival and their normal growth. A sort of ownership on the plants starts; -Step 3: The reproductive biology of the species is understood and multiplication and cultivation of the species in the home gardens or in selected parts of cultivated fields are undertaken; -Step 4: The species is produced (in sole cropping) and harvested using traditional practices; -Step 5: To improve the quality of the product, farmers adopt specific criteria to select plants that better satisfied peoples' needs -Step 6: Development of appropriate pests and disease protection and food processing methods.…”

“…It is generally considered to be the end-point of a continuum that starts with exploitation of wild plants, continues through cultivation of plants selected from the wild but not yet genetically different from wild plants and ends with the adaptation to the agro ecology through conscious or unconscious human morphological selection, and hence genetic differences distinguishing the domesticated species from its wild progenitor (Hammer, 1984;Harlan, 1992;Parker et al, 2010;Sakuma et al, 2011;Dansi et al, 2012). Therefore, it is essential to distinguish between true domestication and its initial phase called "bringing into cultivation".…”

“…In Benin, the vegetable L. multiflora is also reported to have medicinal value (Dansi et al, 2008;Dansi et al, 2012). In the medicinal plants markets Lippia multiflora is among the more recommended and sold plants for the treatment of diabetes (Fah et al, 2013).…”