Have you ever paused for a moment to think about what plant-based foods made your plate today? Chances are, it was rice, wheat or corn. Together, these three crops account for over 75% of global calories, despite the fact that there are an estimated 30,000 edible plants in the world.1 This overreliance matters. Disease, pests, or climate change could put global food production at risk. In Sri Lanka, the effects of climate change are already visible, reshaping rainfall patterns, weather extremes and crop yields.
One part of the solution lies in neglected and underutilised crops, plants that have been largely overlooked for mass-scale production are often climate-resilient, drought-tolerant, nutrient-rich, and capable of thriving in poor soils with minimal inputs. Let’s take proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), for example. Cultivated in Sri Lanka’s dry zones, it’s easy to cultivate, fast to harvest, and rich in protein. Studies show that it can withstand rising temperatures.2 Yet, most of it is used as animal feed.
During the third session of Cultivating Planet-Friendly Food Concepts held on 28th August, Dr. Eranga Wimalasiri of the Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, shared valuable insights on harnessing Sri Lanka’s lesser-known crops as plant-based food sources. The session, organised by SLYCAN Trust Youth and Meatless Monday Sri Lanka, focused on Sri Lanka’s hidden harvest and highlighted the importance of unlocking the potential of lesser-known and underutilised crops for future food security.
Dr. Wimalasiri highlighted the global research trend of introducing underutilised crops for cultivation. Cutting-edge research is developing tools that can identify the most suitable crops for specific lands and even predict yields under future climate conditions. A recent study in Italy identified more than 600 potential underutilised crops.3 Researchers are now developing tools that can shortlist these crops based on climate adaptability, nutrition, and economic potential.
In Sri Lanka, underutilised crops remain largely neglected despite favourable growing conditions. These crops remain underutilised due to a combination of factors, including limited research, lack of coordinated strategies, post-harvest challenges, and low public awareness. Yet, the benefits are enormous: they can improve food security, environmental sustainability, and even support industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Scientists are now taking decisive action to change this by developing tools and initiatives to bring these crops into the mainstream. Some promising initiatives are already underway:
While still in the research stage, these tools promise to guide sustainable and resilient food choices.
We cannot secure global sustainability alone. If we fail to work together, the food system could collapse. We must bring these hidden harvests into use, instead of keeping them hidden forever. Let’s work together to rediscover these crops and reintroduce our hidden harvest and bring these forgotten crops back into our diets , for our health, our environment, and a resilient future.
SLYCAN Trust Youth
SLYCAN Trust Youth is a global initiative of SLYCAN Trust that aims to connect and empower youth to better engage in policy processes and action on climate change and sustainable development. The initiative focuses on building capacities and creating a platform for youth-led exchange, evidence mobilization, innovation, and strategic engagement across key thematic areas at all levels.
Have you ever paused for a moment to think about what plant-based foods made your plate today? Chances are, it was rice, wheat or corn. Together, these three crops account for over 75% of global calories, despite the fact that there are an estimated 30,000 edible plants in the world.1 This overreliance matters. Disease, pests, or climate change could put global food production at risk. In Sri Lanka, the effects of climate change are already visible, reshaping rainfall patterns, weather extremes and crop yields.
One part of the solution lies in neglected and underutilised crops, plants that have been largely overlooked for mass-scale production are often climate-resilient, drought-tolerant, nutrient-rich, and capable of thriving in poor soils with minimal inputs. Let’s take proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), for example. Cultivated in Sri Lanka’s dry zones, it’s easy to cultivate, fast to harvest, and rich in protein. Studies show that it can withstand rising temperatures.2 Yet, most of it is used as animal feed.
During the third session of Cultivating Planet-Friendly Food Concepts held on 28th August, Dr. Eranga Wimalasiri of the Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, shared valuable insights on harnessing Sri Lanka’s lesser-known crops as plant-based food sources. The session, organised by SLYCAN Trust Youth and Meatless Monday Sri Lanka, focused on Sri Lanka’s hidden harvest and highlighted the importance of unlocking the potential of lesser-known and underutilised crops for future food security.
Dr. Wimalasiri highlighted the global research trend of introducing underutilised crops for cultivation. Cutting-edge research is developing tools that can identify the most suitable crops for specific lands and even predict yields under future climate conditions. A recent study in Italy identified more than 600 potential underutilised crops.3 Researchers are now developing tools that can shortlist these crops based on climate adaptability, nutrition, and economic potential.
In Sri Lanka, underutilised crops remain largely neglected despite favourable growing conditions. These crops remain underutilised due to a combination of factors, including limited research, lack of coordinated strategies, post-harvest challenges, and low public awareness. Yet, the benefits are enormous: they can improve food security, environmental sustainability, and even support industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Scientists are now taking decisive action to change this by developing tools and initiatives to bring these crops into the mainstream. Some promising initiatives are already underway:
While still in the research stage, these tools promise to guide sustainable and resilient food choices.
We cannot secure global sustainability alone. If we fail to work together, the food system could collapse. We must bring these hidden harvests into use, instead of keeping them hidden forever. Let’s work together to rediscover these crops and reintroduce our hidden harvest and bring these forgotten crops back into our diets , for our health, our environment, and a resilient future.
SLYCAN Trust Youth
SLYCAN Trust Youth is a global initiative of SLYCAN Trust that aims to connect and empower youth to better engage in policy processes and action on climate change and sustainable development. The initiative focuses on building capacities and creating a platform for youth-led exchange, evidence mobilization, innovation, and strategic engagement across key thematic areas at all levels.
