Building Value Chains for Enhanced PGR Utilization and Sustainable Food Systems

Abstract

The World Food System is characterized by a high level of concentration and dependency. It is estimated that out
of the above 5500 plant-known edible species, only 12 makeup of more than 75% of what we eat. Cereals provide
the highest share in terms of calorie intake, with only three crops – rice, wheat, and maize – providing more
than 50% of calorie intake. This impressive concentration on a few staple crops exposes the agricultural production
system and their markets to vulnerability. Furthermore, recent UN report on World Population Prospects–2022
has made the whole World worry especially the countries like India where the population by 2050 would cross
1.66 billion and surpass the population of China