ABSTRACT
Most development initiatives have one thing in common: their goals can be achieved only if target groups start engaging in new practices and behaviours. Food system actors are critical in shaping our food systems and in driving the transition towards alternative models built around the broader principles of human health and well-being, environmental protection, sustainable production and rural development. While stimulating the integration of local neglected underutilised species (NUS) into production and consumption patterns has shown promising results in creating desired change, few concrete examples exist illustrating how best to engage food system players in this process. The mainstreaming toolkit analyses the barriers that prevent greater use of NUS in food and nutrition security strategies and centres on the experiences of Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey in identifying over 190 NUS for greater integration and use. Countries wishing to replicate the approach will learn how to work with researchers to prioritise and generate information on NUS of nutritional importance; how to support farmers to grow and value this diversity; how to create enabling policy environments that recognise the role of biodiversity for better food and nutrition and; how to generate appreciation and demand for locally important NUS so as to bring about positive change.
