Prioritization of Future Smart Food among NUS for Zero Hunger in Lao PDR

1. Prioritization of Future Smart Food among NUS for Zero Hunger in Lao PDR Mr Savanh Hanphome Dr Palikon Thalongsengchan Dr Siviengkhek Phommalath

2. I. Introduction Climate Change Affects Agriculture and Food Security Malnutrition in Laos In Xiengkhoang and Huaphanh province lower -1 around 1 week in Feb 2016

3. What are neglectedand underutilized crops species (NUS)? • Species that are of minor importance in terms of production, consumption and utilization, and are not fully exploited to contribute to the national economy (Aboagye et al., 2007) • Either cultivated or wild and have great potential for development and production diversification, ensuring food security while preserving culture and traditions and generating income for marginalized people. (Uzbek Scientific and Production Centre of Agriculture, 2006) • Most developed crops are grown for limited end uses: fresh produce, cereal, beverage, oil, spice, etc. Majority of underutilized crops are multipurpose. (Williams and Haq, 2002) • In Lao NUS are close to NTFP Source: Mohd Desa Hassim, 3-5 Dec. 2016, Bangkok Thailand

4. Availability and Use of NUS 30,000 edible plant species have been identified globally, of which 7,000 crop species have been used as food Source: Xuan Li, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 30 March 2017

5. NUS Food Groups Source: Bioversity International (2014)

6. The potential of NUS for ZHG • NUS will remain an important crop in the fragile eco-system and harsh environments; • NUS will remain important crop in specific niches and traditional communities. • A very good number of NUS have great potential and are very important for Food & Nutritional Security: • Contributing directly & indirectly through high protein content. • Major source of micro nutrients such Mg, Fe and Zn. • Important source of dietary fibre. Source: Mahmoud El Solh, 3-5 Dec. 2016, Bangkok Thailand

7. A good number NUS are adapted to harsh environments very important for environmental benefits and mitigation of Climate Change: Most of them are low input crops that can be of high commercial values; A good number of NUS can enhance soil N content and soil health and soil productivity; Production of some of the NUS has lower greenhouse gas emissions than crops that require N-fertilization;. They also require less water and are tolerant to drought, water logging, heat and salinity. NUS will continue to be important to increase income traditional communities particularly in rural areas thus their improvement will improve livelihoods to traditional communities and rural areas. The potential of NUS for ZHG Source: Mahmoud El Solh, 3-5 Dec. 2016, Bangkok Thailand

8. II. Examples on the Evolution of Specific NUS that became Important Commercial Crops: Quinoa • Quinoa may have been originated in South America, but now quinoa is being grown in North America and Europe as well. Currently, About 84.2% of global exports originate from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, and the remaining from the United States of America, and from the European Union*. • The United Nations has declared year 2013 as “International Year of Quinoa”. The grain is very similar to rice and can be cooked and used in the same way. *. Source: Mahmoud El Solh, 3-5 Dec. 2016, Bangkok Thailand

9. Nutritional Value of Quinoa • It takes less time to cook than other whole grains and even cooks quicker than rice: Quinoa takes just 10 to 15 minutes to cook. • Boiled quinoa tastes great on its own. • All the whole grains, quinoa has the highest protein content (14%) compared to cereal grains, so it's perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Quinoa provides all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Quinoa is a gluten-free and cholesterol-free whole grain and is almost always organic. • Quinoa seeds are good sources of vitamin B complex, vitamin E and essential fatty acids (linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid) . Also quinoa is an excellent source of iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium and fiber. Source: Mahmoud El Solh, 3-5 Dec. 2016, Bangkok Thailand

10. Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Source: Mahmoud El Solh, 3-5 Dec. 2016, Bangkok Thailand

11. World Quinoa Production (thousand metric tons) Source: Mahmoud El Solh, 3-5 Dec. 2016, Bangkok Thailand

12. Regional Consultation on Scoping and Mapping of Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species in Asia, FAO, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 – 5 December, 2016 • The complementarities of NUS withexisting staple crops for nutrition enhancement, climate change resilienceand diversification of cropping systems, and relabel NUS as “Future Smart Food (FSF)”

13. III. Neglectedand underutilized crops species (NUS) in Laos

14. Crop Germplasm Collection in gene bank of Lao

15. Germplasm Collection in gene bank

16. Criteria to prioritize FSF/NUS High Commercial/market value, quality, access to markets and income generation High nutrient content, essential source of micronutrients and protein local acceptability especially children, food processing etc seed availability, local knowledge on agronomy, adapted to marginal conditions

17. Prioritize FSF/NUS for ZHC Name: Taro Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Food Group: Characteristics: : It is an annual plant and its life form is a root or tuber stem Agro-ecological zone: It can be grown both on wet and dry land. The plant can grow on poor soil and it is affected by few diseases and pests. It is easily cultivated on hilly swidden fields. Its growth period is about 8 months. Photo source: ARC

18. Name: Greater yam (Dioscorea alata L) Food Group: Characteristics: : It is an annual plant and its life form is a root or tuber stem Agro-ecological zone: It can be grown both on wet and dry land. The plant can grow on poor soil and it is affected by few diseases and pests. Photo source: ARC

19. Name: Fancy yam (Dioscorea esculenta) Food Group: Characteristics: : It is an annual plant and its life form is a root or tuber stem Agro-ecological zone: It can be grown both on wet and dry land. The plant can grow on poor soil and it is affected by few diseases and pests. Sometime could get 15kg/tuber Photo source: Palikone

20. Name: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Food Group: Characteristics: : Almost of cowpea are shrub type, pod size, seed size and seed color are very diversity. Agro-ecological zone: widely adapted to various soil types and weather condition such as poor soil and drier region. Photo source: ARC

21. Name: Ricebean (Vigna umbellata) Food Group: Characteristics: : There are diversity in cultivated types as vine and shrub type, pod and seed size and seed also has diversify color. Agro-ecological zone: widely adapted to various soil types and weather condition. It is cover crop to protect from soil erosion and can be grown in integrated cropping system such as with corn Photo source: Internet

22. Name: Swordbean (Canavalia gladiata) Food Group: Characteristics: : An erect or semi-erect, herbaceous annual. It has highly branched and having trifoliate leaves like the other legumes. Early to medium maturity group (60 to 110 days) Agro-ecological zone: widely adapted to various soil types and weather condition in Laos such as poor soil and drier region.

23. Swordbean (Canavalia gladiata)

24. M = Maize grain, PR = Polished rice, BR = Brown Rice, S = Soybean (seed), SB = Sword bean (seed), C = Cowpea (seed), RB = Rice bean (seed), Ca = Cassava (tuber dry), DS = Dicoscorea esculenta (tuber dried), CE = Colocasia esculenta (tuber dried) and DA = Dioscorea alanta (tuber fresh) https://www.feedipedia.org/

25. IV. Conclusion • Lao PDR is rich in plant species and genetic diversity especially for NUS. • There is a less of information related FSF/NUS including germplasm collection and general production information, most knowledge of them is based on indigenous knowledge passed from generation to generation. • The marketing of indigenous crop-species are limited in terms of commercialization and demand but some of these NUS could be potential for promoting as alternative cash crop. • Improvement of cropping system, seed processing and marketing opportunities, particularly niche market should be identified.

26. Recommendation • Raise awareness of the nutrition-sensitive and climate-resilient benefits of FSF/NUS to address hunger,malnutrition and climate change. (policy maker) • Document and validate best-bet FSF/NUS case studies, compile indigenous knowledge related to FSF/NUS, undertake clinical and field studies to demonstratethe health benefits and climate resilience of FSF/NUS and assemble quantitative data for public dissemination. • Enhance public awareness of the importance of FSF/NUS by developing nutrition and climate change education materials and curricula onthe importance of FSF/NUS for consumers, traders, producers, health professionals, researchers, teachers (e.g. school curricula), farmers, women and youth

27. Identify key entry points in the value chain and encourage value chaindevelopment for specific FSF/NUS, including innovative and targetedinterventions for promotion (e.g. ready-to-use food products). • Increased funds for multi-disciplinary research employing conventional and molecular tools has the potential to develop high-yielding cultivars of FSF/NUS to improve food security, environmental, health and industrial use.

28. Thank you for your attention