Neglected and underutilized crop

Neglected and underutilized crops are domesticated plant species used for food, medicine, trading, or cultural practices that are significant within their local communities but are not widely commodified or studied as part of mainstream agriculture. Such crops may be in declining production. They are considered underutilized in scientific inquiry for their perceived potential to contribute to knowledge regarding nutrition, food security, genetic resistance, or sustainability. Other terms to describe such crops include minor, orphan, underused, local, traditional, alternative, minor, niche, or underdeveloped.