1 2 3 PHASE ONE : 2012-2017 Establishing a World Leading Research Organisation for Underutilised Crops Crops For the Future Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia T : +6 (03) 8725 2800 F : [email protected] W: www.cffresearch.org February 2018 4 5 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Launched in 2011, CFF is the world’s first organisation dedicated solely to research on underutilised crops for food and non-food uses. Its purpose is to help diversify global agriculture beyond the narrow range of commodity species and monocultures on which humanity currently depends. CFF’s research focusses on how agricultural diversification can enhance agricultural systems and their sustainability, address changing climates, increase food and nutritional security and improve economic well-being. These huge challenges require bold and imaginative solutions and active partnerships; business-as-usual on the world’s major crops will not be enough. CFF has set out a Roadmap from its establishment in 2011 until 2030. By that date, CFF and its partners will have contributed to a Global Action Plan for Agricultural Diversification (GAPAD) with the goal of transforming agriculture for good. Since its inception, CFF has come to play a unique and increasingly important role in global agricultural research. It has established an international alliance of partners, developed novel products that can be rapidly scaled up and initiated the first Global Knowledge Base for underutilised crops. These are major achievements. However, by themselves, they are not enough. We need advocates, champions, investors and sponsors. Most of all, we need partners who believe in what we are doing and are willing to help us achieve our common goal. Professor Sayed Azam-Ali Chief Executive Officer Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Crops For the Future 6 7 INDEX 11 17 27 43 55 67 81 85 91 THE STRATEGIC FUTURE EDUCATION COMMUNICATING CHALLENGE CROPS FOR THE FUTURE FACILITIES PARTNERSHIPS RESEARCH INITIATIVES RESEARCH LEADERS AND OUTREACH WITH STAKEHOLDERS 12 18 30 45 58 69 82 86 92 The Perfect Storm Vision and Mission Headquarters Guarantors A Food Global Action Plan CFFPLUS Doctoral FutureCrop Engagement Systems Approach for Agricultural Diversification Training Partnership 13 48 97 The Green Ocean 19 41 Global Alliance for Roadmap 2030 Field Research Centre 60 We Need to Transform Agricultural Diversification Global 77 Forgotten Foods Network Agriculture for Good 15 Knowledge Systems Decreasing Diversity 20 98 Launching the Vision 61 Acknowledgements Food Security 24 What they said about 62 Crops For the Future Human Nutrition 63 Animal Nutrition 64 CONNECT 8 9 THE CHALLENGE 10 11 The Perfect Storm The Green Ocean “It is predicted that by 2030 the world will need to produce around It’s been decades since Norman Borlaug’s 50% more food and energy, together with 30% more fresh water, whilst green revolution changed the face of agriculture. mitigating and adapting to climate change.… A ‘Perfect Storm’ of food It’s time for another revolution. shortages, scarce water and insufficient energy resources threaten to unleash public unrest, cross-border conflicts and mass migration Whilst major crops might continue to feed New technologies can help identify the best underutilised humanity, can they, by themselves, nourish us crops for novel foods, feeds and livelihoods. New thinking can as people flee from the worst affected regions” on a hotter, more vulnerable planet? If not, we extend beyond simply growing more crop species and include must evaluate the many `underutilised’ crops smarter cropping systems that optimise the use of rural and Sir John Beddington that, until now, have received little attention urban landscapes. New solutions can transform agriculture – from scientists and decision makers. In our for the good of humanity, the planet and for future generations. Former UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser changing climates, some could be crops of the future. The question is, which? We need novel and diverse ways in which we produce food, deliver knowledge, advance technologies and attract a new If we look to nature for inspiration, we can see generation of farmers and investors. The diversification of Nine billion people, on a hotter planet with scarce water and limited energy resources represent the `Perfect Storm’ for humanity. At the same time, that biodiversity provides a `Green Ocean’ of agriculture with more crops and smarter cropping systems arable land is being degraded and rural populations are moving to cities. By itself, conventional agriculture – the intensive production of major crops opportunities for agricultural diversification with provides a huge opportunity to transform agribusiness into on the best soils – will not meet humanity’s needs without using more resources than the planet can afford. In hotter, more volatile climates `business more crops. enterprises that the planet can afford. as usual’ will become ever riskier. 12 13 Decreasing Diversity Humanity has grown 7,000 crops. Today, maize, wheat, rice and soybean make up 60% of the world’s food. How can we diversify the global food basket? Our current food systems depend on a handful Are all other crops grown locally for millennia useless or have of `major’ crops grown in a few exporting we simply overlooked them? The decline in diversity of our countries. However, throughout our history, food systems is recent, rapid and risky. We all increasingly humans have cultivated over 7,000 crops. depend on a handful of major crops for their yields, supply Why then do so few crops now feed so chains and uses in processed foods. If any link in the chain many people? fails, our globalised food system is at risk. Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata) 14 15 CROPS FOR THE FUTURE 16 17 Vision and Mission Roadmap 2030 Until now there has been no coordinated effort to improve the many hundreds of CFF plays a significant role in global agricultural research. It offers a unique opportunity to address complex underutilised crops that have supported local communities around the world for agricultural challenges through multidisciplinary, outcome-based research on underutilised crops. This approach millennia. In 2010, Malaysia was chosen to host a new global entity `Crops For the transcends geographical and scientific boundaries, leverages on existing and new capacities and drives innovation. Future’ (CFF), a non-profit research organisation for the world’s underutilised and neglected crops. By 2030, CFF will have contributed to the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development through a Global Action Plan for Agricultural Diversification (GAPAD) with the CFF is the world’s first organisation dedicated solely to vision to help transform agriculture for good. research and development of underutilised crops for food and non-food uses. Vision Mission To be recognised as a world leader To develop solutions to diversify producing excellent, innovative agriculture using underutilised crops research on underutilised crops that to improve food and nutritional is development focussed. security and livelihoods. 18 19 “I have no doubt that this new Crops For the Future Research Centre will do much to nurture the next generation of Norman Borlaug’s” YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak Prime Minister of Malaysia 27 June 2011 20 21 “Crops For The Future is the need of the hour” Professor M.S. Swaminathan “Indian Father of the Green Revolution” and World Food Prize Laureate 27 June 2011 22 23 What they said about Crops For the Future “Important research for the future of the planet.” “I was very much impressed by the work you “It was hugely interesting and informative and I “The Global Action Plan for Agricultural “Your team clearly has the vision and capability to “The process of developing GAPAD through a are doing to revive the forgotten crops and left full of admiration for the great work that you Diversification (GAPAD), initiated by CFF will be able to translate these research findings into comprehensive programme of symposia over Professor Shearer West transforming Agriculture to produce food for future and your team are doing. It really is research showcase Muslim leadership in meeting the practical applications that will advance economic a three-year period will build new knowledge, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham in this era of global climate change. It is high time with impact, with the potential to enhance increasing challenges in food security and changing growth nationally in Malaysia, regionally in South foster leadership, strengthen existing capacities, we appreciated the Agricultural reforms globally to the lives of millions of people on the planet. climates which will impact on Muslim countries East Asia and globally for many developing enhance networks and partnerships and generate embark on the forgotten crops that can stand the What a motivation!” across the world and humanity in general.” countries around the world.” new collaboration and undertakings.” challenges of climate changes.” Sir David Bell KCB YABhg Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Dr Trevor Nicholls HE Rhoda Peace Tumusiime HE Stephen Mubiru Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading Fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture The former High Commissioner of Uganda Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International African Union Commission (AUC) to Malaysia (CABI) 24 25 FACILITIES 26 27 2012 Original artist’s impression of the CFF headquarters by Kumpulan Akitek Sdn Bhd