Sustainable Food System in Ghana: Role of Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species and Diversity

Abstract

This paper examines the neglected and underutilized crop diversity in four selected districts of the Eastern Region of Ghana to make conservation and production meaningful to local people. Through direct observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, the study identified 27 neglected and underutilized crop species in the four districts. The availability of these crop species varies from high to moderate, including root and tuber, vegetables, cereals, fruits, trees, medicinal plant species, and legumes. According to the respondents, Garcinia kola was highly diverse in terms of spread. The commonly grown, but underutilized crop species included Dioscorea spp. (kookoo ase bayere and afasie), Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), Colocasia esculenta (taro), Phaseolus spp. (white-Apatram), Capsicum chinense (Kpakposhito), and Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Afii ntoose/Ntos pa). Neglected and underutilized crop species are essential for reducing high-input demand and enhancing climate-resilient agriculture. Ensuring the sustainability of the food system requires adding value to these crop species.