Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin
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 reveal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | The Scientific World Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/932947 |
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| author | A. Dansi R. Vodouhè P. Azokpota H. Yedomonhan P. Assogba A. Adjatin Y. L. Loko I. Dossou-Aminon K. Akpagana |
| author_facet | A. Dansi R. Vodouhè P. Azokpota H. Yedomonhan P. Assogba A. Adjatin Y. L. Loko I. Dossou-Aminon K. Akpagana |
| author_sort | A. Dansi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d31e5e08199f4edab5af8e8a79d088e3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1537-744X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Scientific World Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-d31e5e08199f4edab5af8e8a79d088e32025-08-20T02:19:51ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2012-01-01201210.1100/2012/932947932947Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in BeninA. Dansi0R. Vodouhè1P. Azokpota2H. Yedomonhan3P. Assogba4A. Adjatin5Y. L. Loko6I. Dossou-Aminon7K. Akpagana8Laboratory of Agricultural Biodiversity and Tropical Plant breeding (LAAPT), Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi, BP 526, Cotonou, BeninBioversity International, Office of West and Central Africa, 08 BP 0931, Cotonou, BeninDepartment of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture (FSA), University of Abomey-Calavi, BP 526, Cotonou, BeninNational Herbarium, Department of Botany and Plant Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), BP 526, Cotonou, BeninCrop, Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Biodiversity Research and Development Institute (IRDCAM), 071BP28, Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Agricultural Biodiversity and Tropical Plant breeding (LAAPT), Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FAST), University of Abomey-Calavi, BP 526, Cotonou, BeninCrop, Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Biodiversity Research and Development Institute (IRDCAM), 071BP28, Cotonou, BeninCrop, Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Biodiversity Research and Development Institute (IRDCAM), 071BP28, Cotonou, BeninLaboratoire de Botanique, Faculté des sciences (FS), Université de Lomé, BP 1515, Lomé, TogoMany 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.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/932947 |
| spellingShingle | A. Dansi R. Vodouhè P. Azokpota H. Yedomonhan P. Assogba A. Adjatin Y. L. Loko I. Dossou-Aminon K. Akpagana Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin The Scientific World Journal |
| title | Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin |
| title_full | Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin |
| title_fullStr | Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin |
| title_short | Diversity of the Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species of Importance in Benin |
| title_sort | diversity of the neglected and underutilized crop species of importance in benin |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/932947 |
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