UNDP, WFP and Ministry of Environment launch 'lesser-known foods of Ski Lanka' campaign to boost biodiversity through underutilised crops

'Lesser-known foods of Sri Lanka' is an advocacy campaign that aims to tackle the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and improving access to nutritious food for vulnerable communities across the country. This campaign is directly supported through the Early Action Support (EAS) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which plays a critical role in accelerating Sri Lanka's implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework by integrating biodiversity conservation into national policies and strategies.

The launch of the campaign, which took place yesterday, was attended by representatives from Ministries, Ms. Malin Herwig, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka; and Mr Gerard Rebello, Country Director a.i. of WFP in Sri Lanka. Also present at the event were key representatives from the private sector including the tourism industry, academia, and grassroot level entrepreneurs who are involved in the cultivation of lesser-known food crops.

Key activities of the campaign will include the curation and distribution of a recipe book featuring underutilised, nutrient-rich crops. The recipe book will be distributed among participants of WFP's 'Home-Grown School Feeding' (HGSF) project, which provides caterers with the tools, knowledge and support to self-produce food for the national school meal programme. This will help integrate lesser-known foods within the meals served in schools.

Regional events in select locations will serve to engage local communities and conduct informational sessions on the nutritional value of regional lesser-known food crops and their importance towards biodiversity.

Thema Collective will support the campaign through cookery demonstrations for local communities as well as leading an engagement with the participation of hospitality students, through special sessions on the importance of biodiversity conservation, healthy eating habits and nutrition and methods of preparing lesser-known foods, hosted at Aliya Resort, Dambulla.

Activations will also take place in locations in Colombo, to familiarise these foods with urban communities who have limited access to non-commercially grown produce. The campaign will culminate in an online cooking competition that will take place during the campaign period, together with well-known food personalities.

Commenting on UNDPs leadership in the area, Ms. Malin Herwig, Deputy Resident Representative stated, "Many communities are struggling with rising living costs and food insecurity. By promoting the cultivation of lesser-known, nutrient-dense crops that are affordable and easy to grow, we can reduce reliance on expensive food imports and stabilize household food supplies. Through joint campaigns such as this, we hope to raise awareness about underutilized crops with high nutritional value, which not only strengthens food security, but also creates income-generating opportunities for farmers and local businesses while protecting our biodiversity".

WFP's Sri Lanka Country Director a.i, Gerard Rebello, said access to a wide variety of nutritious and sustainably grown food is the cornerstone of a healthy society. "Through this campaign, we aim to make these foods a part of our daily diets and create a healthier, more resilient future for both people and the planet."

The key objective of this campaign speaks to two main concerns in Sri Lanka; the rapid decline of Sri Lanka's biodiversity and the multiple threats it faces; and the access to nutritious foods among vulnerable communities. By popularising underutilised food crops, the campaign aims to create commercial value for these nutrient-dense food plants and thereby create the incentive for their cultivation and ultimately their preservation. These crops can be easily grown in a home garden or adapted to commercial cultivation - both options would in turn provide affordable and cost-effective sources of nutrition across the urban and rural population of Sri Lanka.

The campaign will run from 21st January to 25th February 2025, and more information can be accessed via UNDP Sri Lanka and WFP Sri Lanka social media channels.

Note to the Editor

Sri Lanka is a country rich in biodiversity and home to over 700 plants with agricultural uses, many of which have been domesticated and used for centuries, but their utilization and importance have rapidly declined over time. Underutilized plants in general have genetic tolerance to climate shocks and possess many nutritional and therapeutic qualities. Mainstreaming the use of these crops can help contribute to the food security, nutrition, health, and income generation of people. More information can be accessed via UNDP Sri Lanka and WFP Sri Lanka social media channels.Photo caption: Dustin Shiau, USAID BHA's Regional Humanitarian Advisor for South and Central Asia and Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Sri Lanka Representative hand over the equipment to Major General (Retired) Udaya Herath, Director General of the DMC, in the presence of S.M. Saman Bandulasena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Gothami Chandraratne, WFP Programme Policy Officer.

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