Key Underutilized Crops

Underutilized crops across India’s diverse regions offer a wealth of nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits, remaining largely untapped resources with potential to enhance food security, economic stability, and agricultural biodiversity. Northern India’s climate-resilient crops like buckwheat, amaranth, and kala chana contribute essential proteins, minerals, and fiber, supporting local diets and improving resilience in dry regions. In Southern India, crops such as finger millet, little millet, and moringa thrive in semi-arid conditions, providing high levels of calcium, protein, and essential vitamins while offering economic opportunities in nutraceuticals and health foods. Eastern India’s indigenous crops like rice bean, Job’s tears, and black rice are rich in protein, antioxidants, and minerals, supporting traditional diets and providing food security in hilly and tribal areas. Meanwhile, Western India’s drought-resistant varieties, including sorghum, cluster beans, and Kodo millet, play a critical role in food systems within arid and semi-arid zones, offering nutrient-rich alternatives with low water requirements. Northeastern India boasts unique and culturally significant crops like winged bean, perilla, and tapioca, which are high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients, contributing to local diets and traditional medicine. Promoting these underutilized crops can address pressing issues such as malnutrition, climate adaptation, and economic diversification. Their ability to grow in marginal environments and their high nutritional content makes them valuable in supporting sustainable agriculture and enhancing resilience in local food systems. The growing consumer demand for health-focused, plant-based, and regionally unique foods provides an emerging market for these crops, creating 83 income opportunities for smallholder farmers. However, achieving their full potential requires policy support, investment in infrastructure, and awareness-building to overcome challenges in market access and supply chain development.