About ICUC
The International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) is a global research, development and training organisation. It provides expertise and acts as a knowledge hub for tropical, sub-tropical and temperate plant development.
| " Through our work in the last 15 years, we have contributed to better food security, economic development, a more sustainable environment and knowledge mobilisation. " |
ICUC is a Partner Organisation to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and is in a prime position to support and collaborate with all CGIAR Centres in the implementation of the related new System Priorities, as well as work with the many smaller initiatives scattered around the world doing important work on underutilised species. Click here to see our brochure.
Since its inception in 1992, ICUC has supported research on national priorities for germplasm collections, agronomy and post-harvest methodology of underutilised species and associated scientific conferences and training events. More recently, our focus has expanded to include processing and marketing assessments and training to local people.
We have produced monographs, extension manuals, factsheets and posters in local languages. Through our work in the last 15 years, we have contributed to better food security, economic development, a more sustainable environment and knowledge mobilisation.
ICUC’s projects were developed in close collaboration with national and regional research and enterprise development organizations in Asia, Latin America and Africa. We have been instrumental in the founding of several professional networks, UTFANET (Underutilised Tropical Fruits in Asia Network), SEANUC (Southern and East Africa Network for Underutilised Crops) and ACUC (Asian Centre for Underutilised Crops).
In late 2005, ICUC has started a new phase of collaborative activities. We are now focussing on three broad areas: partnerships, assessing the potential of underutilised crops for improved livelihoods and removing barriers to the participation of small-scale entrepreneurs in the marketing of underutilised crops. The revised project document is available here.
We have developed excellent collaboration with IPGRI and the IPGRI-based Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Crops (check out our joint statement), the World Vegetable Center and its Regional Office for Africa, and a range of partners in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and Europe in order to strengthen global underutilised crops research and development. This website and the information exchange it provides is a contribution to this joint effort.
We have initiated a global consultation to develop a new strategic framework for underutilised plant research and development. We have co-organised two expert workshops to further develop the strategic framework in a consultative manner. We have started research projects to investigate underutilised germplasm pathways and are analysing their value chain.
Our Mission
To promote the use of underutilised crops for the benefit of humankind and the environment.
Our Goal
Reduced poverty and suffering through the improvement and promotion of underutilised crops for food, medicines, fodder and industrial needs, and also for environmental protection.
Our Projects
ICUC provides expertise and acts as a collaborative institute for tropical, sub-tropical and temperate crop development. We work in close collaboration with national partners for sustainable technology development for products and marketing of underutilised crops.
Our Partners
ICUC is active in 19 countries in Asia and Africa. It works through partnerships with international, regional and national research and civil society organizations, NGOs and the private sector for the benefit of poor people. ICUC has been instrumental in the creation and coordination of several regional research networks on underutilised fruit and vegetable crops.
Our Future
ICUC will build on existing partnerships in genetic resources research on underutilised species and establish new links with public and private research and development partners. In particular, we want to strengthen our link with the private sector and focus on enterprise development and the development and marketing of novel products from underutilised species through community projects.
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