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Leveraging Evidence and Policy to Advance NUS Integration in Food Systems - Insights from the European Commission Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security

Presentation by Carlo Rega, Coordinator, Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security, European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy - Global Institutional and Policy Perspective at the Residential workshop Transformative Teaching of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) - Linking Education, Innovation, and Enterprise Development - 11-12 December 2025, Nairobi, Kenya

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Carlo Rega European Commission Joint Research Centre, Unit D5 – Food security carlo.rega@ec.europa.eu Workshop: Transformative Teaching of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) - Nairobi, 11/12/2025 Leveraging Evidence and Policy to Advance NUS Integration in Food Systems - Insights from the European Commission Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security
2 The European Commission Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security (KC-FNS) Advancing Knowledge towards Zero Hunger and Sustainable Food Systems https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/global-food-nutrition-security_en Main activities and topics of the KC-FNS Elaborate targeted knowledge- synthesis products with actionable knowledge for policymakers on key issues Maintain a publicly accessible knowledge hub with publications, datasets, tools and resources Provide technical Support to research networks in Africa and thirds countries Maintain country dashboards with infographics and key agro-economic and food security indicators gathered by country Extract and disseminate key knowledge and main results from research projects
3 Knowledge reviews What is it: Knowledge Review are relatively short documents collecting and synthesizing knowledge on complex topics. They are rigorous, but not too technical. They focus on key messages from science and policy recommendations Who needs it: Knowledge Reviews are primarily targeting policy-makers but are also useful for researchers, the private sector, NGO, civil servants How they are done: It is as much as possible a neutral exercise in which it is reported what is found in the literature, including recommendations, knowledge gaps and different views.
4 Knowledge Synthesis and production - examples Agroecological practices supporting food production and reducing food insecurity in developing countries Gender Equality and Food systems – a Knowledge Review The impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA) cuts to food security and nutrition – a Knowledge Review
5 Knowledge Review on NUS - Background and context Prepared by the secretariat of the Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security with contribution from IRAM (Institut de recherche et d'applications des méthodes de développement) Elaborated upon request by the 2 Directorates General of the European Commission: INTPA (International Partnerships) and ECHO (Humanitarian assistance)
6 Neglected and underutilised species (NUS) • Policy needs and context • DG INTPA is interested in promoting the use of NUS as a complement to mainstream crops (wheat, rice, maize) in third countries, particularly in Africa, as part as the transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems • DG ECHO in interested in the contribution of locally-produced crops, including neglected and underutilised ones, in emergency contexts, e.g. for the preparation of emergency food (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) to distribute • Main questions: Can NUS contribute to food and nutrition security, small famers’ income, environmentally sustainable agriculture and resilience? Can they be used in emergency context? What are enabling factors and obstacles? Are there other benefits or limitation associated to the use of NUS?
7 Neglected and underutilised species (NUS) Key findings – NUS benefits • Food security NUS can contribute to food security by increasing food availability during the lean period, improving production under harsh conditions and on marginal soils, where mainstream crops often fails; • Income: NUS can enable communities to engage in diversified income-generating activities; • Nutrition and health: Many NUS are rich in essential macro and micronutrients. Several NUS have also antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. • Sustainability and Resilience: Many NUS exhibit higher tolerance to stresses such as drought, pests, and diseases compared to mainstream crops. Several NUS can thrive in poor soil conditions and require less inputs. • Gender equality: There’s a correlation between NUS production and women’s empowerment, as women are the main custodians and producers of NUS • Emergency situations NUS can be used as alternative ingredients for locally-produced, cost- effective Ready-to-use therapeutic and supplement foods (RUTF-RUSF). Additional research is needed on this, though
8 Neglected and underutilised species (NUS) • Key findings – Obstacles • Market access: NUS are often sold by smallholder farmers in informal markets, which limits their availability to consumers • The high market value of certain NUS offers an opportunity to generate income, but this is hindered by the underdevelopment of value chains and processing methods • Seed accessibility is an issue. Conservation systems are needed to make seeds and knowledge available and to scale up NUS’s uptake • Though a great body of evidence is available, information on NUS’s benefits it’s still scattered. Knowledge gaps persist on NUS’s agronomic and nutritional traits. There is consensus that more research is needed on the topic
9 Main Policy recommendations • Invest in seed conservation systems, both in situ (on farm) and ex-situ, in seed conservation banks • Develop value chains for NUS by informing consumers on their benefits, promote them in policies through adequate incentives/subsidies (currently mainly favouring mainstream crops) • Schools' meals and public procurements are important ways for promoting NUS • Promote investments in capacity building, training, teaching, research improved storage and packaging, improved transportation, targeted investments in rural infrastructure and investing in processes with added value.
10 Some actions of the European Commission supporting NUS - The DESIRA+ project, financed by the EU with €100 million + EU Member States contributions. It aims at strengthening agriculture research and innovation to support agroecological transition of food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, and NUS are one of the specific covered topics (LINK) - The upcoming AgrEcoNUS + project, aimed to enhance value chains and markets of NUS to contribute to Agroecological transition in Africa (LINK) (Contracting entities: AICS (Italian cooperation Agency) and IFAD. Starting in February 2026 – duration: 4 years 3 main areas: 1) Research and Innovation; 2) Policy and Governance and 3) Value chains and markets - Research: the Horizon Europe programme finances several (past and ongoing) research projects on that include NUS, e.g.: RADIANT; CROPDIVA Bio-Value. Upcoming project on the use of local crops for RUTF/RUSF
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