Perennial Crops for Food Security

This publication presents the latest research in perennial crop breeding and programmes,and provides direction on where the field of perennial crop is heading. Many productionsystems and agricultural practices are no longer sustainable today as their effects on soils,water, biodiversity, and livelihood are significant. Mainstreaming the use of perennialcrops into current practices can contribute to stabilize fragile soils and maintain naturalprocesses essential to obtain stable and high yields. To face the challenges and risks ofthe twenty-first century, increasing the perenniality of crops and agricultural systemsshould become a larger research, development and policy focus.