In the face of global food security challenges and the impacts of climate change, diversifying our agricultural systems is more critical than ever. However, a significant barrier to adopting underutilised crops has been the scarcity and fragmentation of reliable information. To address this, Crops For the Future (CFF) developed CropBASE, a comprehensive global knowledge system dedicated to these often-overlooked plant species.
CropBASE serves as a vital digital resource, designed to empower farmers, researchers, policymakers, and investors with the data and tools needed to make informed decisions about agricultural diversification. It aims to bridge the knowledge gap by collating scientific evidence with valuable vernacular (traditional) knowledge held by farming communities who have cultivated these crops for generations.
Key Features and Benefits of CropBASE:
- Extensive Crop Information: CropBASE is being populated with data on a wide array of underutilised species, covering their agronomic requirements, nutritional profiles, potential end-uses, and environmental tolerances.
- Decision Support Tools: The system includes tools like 'SelectCrop' which can help users identify suitable underutilised crops for specific environments and agricultural scenarios, comparing them with mainstream options.
- Integration of Knowledge: It uniquely combines peer-reviewed scientific data with traditionally held farming knowledge, offering a more holistic understanding of each crop.
- Supporting Policy and Investment: By providing an evidence base, CropBASE can inform policy development aimed at promoting crop diversity and guide investment into sustainable agricultural ventures.
The development of CropBASE is a testament to CFF's commitment to leveraging data and digital technologies to support the transition towards more resilient and diverse food systems. As highlighted in publications such as the "Forgotten Foods: A manifesto for the future of the food system?" (Azam-Ali & Jahanshiri), knowledge systems like CropBASE are essential for underpinning global efforts like the Global Manifesto for Forgotten Foods.
By making information on underutilised crops more accessible and actionable, CropBASE plays a crucial role in helping to conserve agrobiodiversity, enhance food and nutritional security, and create new livelihood opportunities, particularly in marginal environments.
To learn more about CropBASE and its functionalities, visit the official CropBASE website. Further details on supporting research can be found on our Publications page.