Potential of Underutilized Wild Crops in Koraput, Odisha, India for Improving Nutritional Security and Promoting Climate Resilience

Indigenous and wild crop resources play a significant role in food and nutrition security, and are also important resources for sustainable food systems under climate change. Koraput district, Odisha is one of the agro-biodiversity hotspots in India dominated by tribal communities. The plant genetic resources of this region are of significance not only for the diversity, but also their consumption pattern. The present study aimed to chronicle the nutritional value of selected neglected and underutilized crop species of Koraput. Although these plant species are useful for poor and marginalized farmers, they are largely ignored by the scientific community, breeders and policymakers. Therefore, this study highlights the nutritional and climate-resilient traits of such species for conservation and further utilization. Mass consumption, commercialization and bio-prospecting of these valuable resources would be the right step for ensuring food and nutritional security in future climate change scenarios.