Forgotten crops are agricultural plant species and varieties used by people for centuries. However, these crop species have been neglected for the past decades by researchers, policymakers, input companies, and the markets, leading to a decrease in their cultivation.
They don't refer to abandoned cultivation but marginalized crops outside the food market.
Popular examples: Quinoa, Pigeon Pea, Millets, Sorghum, etc.
Nowadays, there is a trend to introduce them back to commercial cultivation after recognizing their exceptional characteristics like drought tolerance, climate-resilience, low-input demand, and production of nutritious products. Their introduction to the cropping systems can boost agrobiodiversity and help accomplish food security.
