Selected neglected and underutilized species for climate-resilient nutritional security in the Indian Himalayas

Abstract

Climate change and persistent micronutrient malnutrition jointly threaten food security in mountain regions. This systematic evidence synthesis, informed by systematic literature mapping, examines three neglected and underutilized species (NUS); Finger Millet ( Eleusine coracana ), Buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum , F. tataricum ), and Amaranth ( Amaranthus spp.) in relation to climate resilience, nutritional attributes, and implementation constraints in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Literature published between 2010 and 2026 was identified through structured database searching and screened through a PRISMA framework. Of 487 records identified, 156 duplicates were removed, 331 records were screened, 156 reports were assessed for eligibility, and 87 records were retained in the final synthesis, including 63 peer-reviewed articles and 24 grey-literature documents used for contextual triangulation. Across the included literature, these crops show species-specific traits associated with tolerance to drought, frost, poor soils, and other stresses relevant to mountain agriculture, while also offering favorable nutritional profiles relative to refined staples. The evidence base also identifies recurring barriers to wider use, including social stigma, weak value chains, limited processing infrastructure, and policy neglect. However, much of the mechanistic and nutritional evidence derives from controlled or laboratory settings, and field-level validation linking these traits to yield stability, dietary improvement, or household nutritional outcomes in actual IHR farming systems remains limited. The study suggests that NUS are promising components of more diversified and climate-responsive food systems in the IHR, but current evidence does not support broad claims of transformative impact without stronger field-based, population-level, and implementation research.