Diet diversity for nutrition and health

To nutritiously and sustainably feed 9 billion people by 2050 without causing additional resource depletion and damage to our planet. Healthy, diversified diets consisting of nutrient-rich sources of food, such as animal source foods, fruits, vegetables, beans and pulses need to be made available, accessible, affordable and acceptable.

Population growth is coinciding with more poorly nourished people, and related health problems. With thousands of species to choose from, and millions of varieties from within these species, there is great potential to spice up diets and improve nutrition. Yet, just three – rice, wheat and maize – provide more than 50% of the world's plant-derived calories.

Bioversity International explores how agrobiodiversity can be better used within food production systems to improve access to nutritionally-rich food sources and increase­ dietary diversity. Wild and indigenous plants, fruit trees and animal species  - often more nutritious than their better known exotic counterparts - can be combined in portfolios to provide year-round harvest of healthy, nutrient-dense foods, which fill hunger and specific nutrient gaps.