The world is heavily reliant on four major crops: maize, wheat, rice and soybean, and even then these crops are stretched to their limits – being used for uses beyond food, to animal feed and even biofuel. However, with temperatures rising, it is uncertain if we can sustain them in much warmer and drier climates. Factor in our growing population, which is estimated to rise to 9.5 billion by 2050, the demand and availability of these crops will be at an all-time high – will they be enough to keep up with an increase in population in a hotter world?

To ensure a more sustainable world for future generations, we need to transform agriculture for good which includes underutilised crops that can help diversify our food systems beyond just the world’s major crops grown as monocultures.

Crops For the Future (CFF) is the world’s first and only centre dedicated to research on underutilised crops for food and non-food uses. CFF research focuses on agricultural systems and their sustainability, address changing climates and improve food and nutrition security and economic well-being, especially for the poor.

Through its own capacities and with an alliance of over 50 international and national partners, CFF provides a new approach to addressing complex global challenges through multidisciplinary, outcome-based research on underutilised crops. The approach transcends geographical and disciplinary boundaries, leverages on existing and new capacities and provides an unparalleled opportunity to rapidly deliver global research outcomes on underutilised crops to end-users and other stakeholders.

CFF RESEARCH PROGRAMME 

SOME OF CFF’S CURRENT PROJECTS

NUTRIENT-PACKED ALTERNATIVES TO FAST FOOD

FoodPLUS has developed an instant moringa soup – a two-step product made from moringa leaves, which are packed with nutrients including: protein, vitamins A, B and C, and minerals. The soup requires only water to prepare, and can easily be distributed to refugees and those with insufficient access to food. 

CROP DIVERSIFICATION TOOL

CropBASE is developing an online app for farmers, researchers and the agriculture industry, with the aim to provide information on which underutilised crops and cropping systems would best fit their current and future needs.

USING INSECT MEAL FOR AQUACULTURE FEED

FishPLUS is developing innovative feed ingredients to improve the nutritional value and sustainability of aquaculture. In a recent research project, FishPLUS used Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae as insect meal. The BSF were fed on Sesbania, an underutilised crop, which provides a good source of protein to the larvae.

CONTACT US

Crops For the Future (CFF)
Jalan Broga
43500 Semenyih
Selangor Darul Ehsan
MALAYSIA
Tel: 603-8725 2800 / Fax: 603-8725 2801
Website: www.cffresearch.org

   cropsforthefutureresearchcentre

  @Crops4thfuture

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