Conservation and Promotion of Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species in West Africa: Policy and Governance

Hamid El Bilali (), Susanna Rokka, Generosa Calabrese, Teresa Borelli, Francesca Grazioli, Sheirita Reine Fanta Tietiambou, Jacques Nanema, Iro Dan Guimbo, Lawali Dambo, Bassirou Nouhou, Maria Gonnella and Filippo Acasto
Additional contact information
Hamid El Bilali: International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Bari, Italy
Susanna Rokka: Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Tietotie 4, 31600 Jokioinen, Finland
Generosa Calabrese: International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Bari, Italy
Teresa Borelli: Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical), Via San Domenico 1, 00153 Rome, Italy
Francesca Grazioli: Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical), Via San Domenico 1, 00153 Rome, Italy
Sheirita Reine Fanta Tietiambou: University Centre of Gaoua, Nazi Boni University, P.O. Box 01, Bobo-Dioulasso 1091, Burkina Faso
Jacques Nanema: Programme Agrinovia, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, P.O. Box 03, Ouagadougou 7021, Burkina Faso
Iro Dan Guimbo: Department of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests, Faculty of Agronomy, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey P.O. Box 237, Niger
Lawali Dambo: Department of Geography, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey P.O. Box 237, Niger
Bassirou Nouhou: Afrique Verte Niger (AcSSA), Niamey P.O. Box 11751, Niger
Maria Gonnella: Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
Filippo Acasto: Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Ouaga 2000-Secteur 54, Arrondissement n. 12, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-20

Abstract: Neglected and underutilized crop species (NUCS/NUS) are claimed to contribute to sustainable development. However, many scholars argue that enabling policies and appropriate governance are needed to operationalize such a potential contribution. Therefore, this systematic review analyzes the literature dealing with the relationships between policy and governance aspects and the promotion of NUS in West Africa. It draws upon 45 eligible articles identified through a search conducted on the Web of Science in December 2023. The existing literature focuses on Nigeria and a few NUS, especially cassava. The addressed policy domains include biodiversity conservation; subsidies; seed systems; food security, self-sufficiency and sovereignty; trade and import substitution; food safety and health; climate change and energy; land use; research, innovation and development; and support and assistance systems. Meanwhile, the main governance domains are (1) inclusiveness and participation and (2) institutional capacity. The analysis suggests that NUS development is also affected by sectoral policy coherence and consistency as well as the policy–governance interplay. Future studies should widen the scope in terms of geographical coverage in West Africa and NUS addressed to allow for more comparisons. Furthermore, there is a need for further research to understand the synergies and trade-offs between sectoral policies affecting NUS promotion and development.

Keywords: neglected and underutilized species; NUS; orphan crop; sustainable food system; politics; policy coherence; biodiversity; climate change; Sahel; SUSTLIVES (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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