Alternative crops knowledge management from the standpoint of sustainable agriculture and rural development

Abstract

The main goal of sustainable agriculture and rural development is to increase food production and food security in a sustainable way. The increasing demand for food and feed initiated cultivation of new or less cultivated plant species, especially in regions where the staple crops cultivation is difficult. The diverse requirements of agricultural producers, processing industries and consumers, in terms of cultivation, processing and the quality of primary raw materials and products, as well as the economic and ecological benefits of growing alternative crops, impose the need for inter- and multidisciplinary research and the use of twenty-first-century tools for the transfer and application of acquired knowledge. The paper aims to illustrate how agricultural practice and grower demands drive scientific research. Through an overview of knowledge creators and providers, organizations and associations, dedicated events and publications, the work maps new research paths for more advanced applications of these crops.