DIVERSICROP – Harnessing the potential of underutilized crops to promote sustainable food production
Project description
DIVERSICROP (CA22146) is an international research network within the COST programme, dedicated to promoting crop diversity and making better use of the potential of underutilised crops to support sustainable and healthy food systems.
European agriculture relies on a relatively small number of crops, although many other species have a long history of cultivation and significant nutritional value. DIVERSICROP focuses on three selected crops – rye, pea and chickpea – which have the potential to contribute to greater agricultural diversity, resilience to climate change and the provision of nutritious, high-quality food.
The Action brings together experts from different disciplines, ranging from archaeology and history to crop science, nutrition and policy. By combining historical evidence, contemporary research and knowledge of dietary habits, it explores the reasons behind the declining cultivation and use of these crops and identifies opportunities for their wider reintroduction into European agriculture and food systems.
An important objective of the Action is to connect and harmonise fragmented data and develop a scientific basis for the sustainable cultivation of the selected crops, taking into account regional environmental conditions and their nutritional value.
Main Activities
The Action is organised into five thematic Working Groups:
- WG1 – Ancient History: Exploring the history of cultivation and use of the selected crops through archaeological, historical and ethnobotanical evidence.
- WG2 – Crop Science: Investigating regional environmental constraints affecting crop production and the adaptation of genetic material to different environmental conditions.
- WG3 – Nutrition: Analysing dietary habits and the consumption of foods containing the selected crops.
- WG4 – Policy: Reviewing existing policies and incentives and engaging stakeholders to support the further development of relevant policies.
- WG5 – Dissemination, Training and Events: Disseminating results, organising training activities and scientific events, and raising awareness of the importance of underutilised crops.
The Action promotes international cooperation, knowledge exchange and the sharing of good practices through scientific meetings, workshops, training activities and research mobility opportunities.
Funding
DIVERSICROP (CA22146) is supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), funded by the European Union.