Exploring underutilised high-protein crops for small-scale growers and gardeners
Funder
CU Sustainability and Clean Growth Theme
Total Value
£680
Project Team
Duration
April 2025 - July 2025
Project Overview
Food systems contribute to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, prompting urgent calls for a radical transformation of diets to include a greater proportion of plant proteins. Funding from the Sustainability and Clean Growth Theme enabled academics and growers to explore the potential of under-utilised high-protein crops for small-scale cultivation in the UK.
Through interviews and a participatory workshop with members of the Coventry Agroecological Living Lab (CALL), this work co-developed priorities and strategies for future research.
The exploratory study identified a range of future research needs, including:
- Identifying crops and varieties with potential to increase resilience to our changing climate (e.g.drought tolerance)
- The cultural significance of crops, particularly linking with Coventry’s diverse communities
- Interest in heritage and historic varieties that were once dietary staples
- The need for guidance on the processing of crops post-harvest
- The importance of culinary knowledge and enthusiasm for recipe sharing
- Support for a local project, with potential to expand nationally and include citizen participants in the future
