International Centre for Underutilised Crops
Encyclopedia
The International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) has been an independent nonprofit scientific research institute
that investigated, coordinated and supported research programmes towards increasing the productivity and use of what are termed underutilised crops—crop
s that have a potential to be cultivated
and made useful on a significantly larger scale than they have been. Founded in 1989, the ICUC researched and promoted tropical, sub-tropical and temperate
plants and plant-products, and operated in over 30 countries in a variety of partnership arrangements with international and local research groups, NGOs
and private enterprises.
in southern England
, a concept arising out of the International Conference on New Crops for Food and Industry held in Southampton
two years previously. The founding director was Dr. Nazmul Haq, an academic at Southampton's Civil Engineering and the Environment research school.
During the 1990s the ICUC expanded and established networks in Asia
, Southern
and Eastern Africa, and secured research and development funding for several defined projects from sources such as the UK's Department for International Development
. In 2001 the ICUC became a partner institution of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR), and continued to establish regional centres and cooperative partnerships with other research bodies and organisations.
In 2005 the ICUC moved its headquarters from Southampton to near Colombo in Sri Lanka
, in a co-hosting arrangement with the International Water Management Institute
(IWMI). Among other reasons, the move sought to better align the ICUC's research activities and consultative expertise with similarly themed programmes operating in the "Global South". The move saw a change in directorship, with plant physiologist Dr. Hannah Jaenicke assuming the role.
In 2009, ICUC and the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilised Species (GFU) merged to become "Crops for the Future" (CFF), a new organisation that combines the former mandates of its predecessor organisations, and engages in partnerships building on the networks established by ICUC and GFU. CFF is based in Malaysia, and is governed by a Board of Directors. CFF's current director is Dr. Michael Hermann.
Research institute
A research institute is an establishment endowed for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research...
that investigated, coordinated and supported research programmes towards increasing the productivity and use of what are termed underutilised crops—crop
Crop (agriculture)
A crop is a non-animal species or variety that is grown to be harvested as food, livestock fodder, fuel or for any other economic purpose. Major world crops include maize , wheat, rice, soybeans, hay, potatoes and cotton. While the term "crop" most commonly refers to plants, it can also include...
s that have a potential to be cultivated
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and made useful on a significantly larger scale than they have been. Founded in 1989, the ICUC researched and promoted tropical, sub-tropical and temperate
Temperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
plants and plant-products, and operated in over 30 countries in a variety of partnership arrangements with international and local research groups, NGOs
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
and private enterprises.
History
The International Centre for Underutilised Crops was launched in 1989 at the University of SouthamptonUniversity of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
in southern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, a concept arising out of the International Conference on New Crops for Food and Industry held in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
two years previously. The founding director was Dr. Nazmul Haq, an academic at Southampton's Civil Engineering and the Environment research school.
During the 1990s the ICUC expanded and established networks in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Southern
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
and Eastern Africa, and secured research and development funding for several defined projects from sources such as the UK's Department for International Development
Department for International Development
The Department For International Development is a United Kingdom government department with a Cabinet Minister in charge. It was separated from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1997. The goal of the department is "to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty". The current...
. In 2001 the ICUC became a partner institution of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
The CGIAR is a strategic alliance that unites organizations involved in agricultural research for sustainable development with the donors that fund such work. These donors include governments of developing and industrialized countries, foundations and international and regional organizations...
(CGIAR), and continued to establish regional centres and cooperative partnerships with other research bodies and organisations.
In 2005 the ICUC moved its headquarters from Southampton to near Colombo in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, in a co-hosting arrangement with the International Water Management Institute
International Water Management Institute
The International Water Management Institute is a non-profit research organisation with headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and offices across Africa and Asia...
(IWMI). Among other reasons, the move sought to better align the ICUC's research activities and consultative expertise with similarly themed programmes operating in the "Global South". The move saw a change in directorship, with plant physiologist Dr. Hannah Jaenicke assuming the role.
In 2009, ICUC and the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilised Species (GFU) merged to become "Crops for the Future" (CFF), a new organisation that combines the former mandates of its predecessor organisations, and engages in partnerships building on the networks established by ICUC and GFU. CFF is based in Malaysia, and is governed by a Board of Directors. CFF's current director is Dr. Michael Hermann.
External links
- International Centre for Underutilised Crops, official website