Engaging Indigenous Peoples and local communities in global policy development for the conservation and sustainable use of wild food plants

Wild Food Plants (WFPs) are edible species that grow without cultivation in forests, grasslands, field margins, and other natural and semi-natural spaces. They play a central role in the traditional food systems of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP&LCs) and have significant nutritional and nutraceutical value. Despite the importance of Indigenous knowledge and local practices in the stewardship of WFPs, IP&LCs have largely been under-represented in institutional structures and policies pertaining to their governance. Dominant policy agreements, tools, and guidance (e.g. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture) have historically valorized WFPs for their commercial potential as sources of plant genetic traits for crop improvement, and protection activities have focused primarily on the collection and ex-situ storage of plant germplasm in gene banks, often located far from Indigenous territory where these species originate. As commercial interest in WFPs continues to grow, IP&LC rights, knowledge, and governance risk are being marginalized. This paper reviews the role of IP&LCs in the conservation and management of WFPs and proposes a framework to integrate their knowledge, stewardship practices, and governance into decision-making processes.