@article{Gruere:55418,
      recid = {55418},
      author = {Gruere, Guillaume P. and Giuliani, Alessandra and Smale,  Melinda},
      title = {Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of  the poor: a conceptual framework},
      address = {2006},
      number = {581-2016-39486},
      series = {EPTD Discussion Paper},
      pages = {54},
      year = {2006},
      abstract = {Modern crop production is based on only a few plant  species. Particularly in marginal environments of  developing agricultural economies, many less well-known  agricultural or non-timber forest species, continue to be  grown, managed or collected, thus contributing to the  livelihood of the poor and to agricultural biodiversity.  Some of these species, called underutilized plant species,  are characterized by the fact that they are locally in  developing countries but globally rare, that scientific  information and knowledge about them is scant, and that  their current use is limited relative to their economic  potential. In this paper, we first identify the economic  factors that cause these plants to be ‘underutilized’.  Based on this analysis, we propose a classification of  underutilized plant species based on the relationship of  the observed to the potential economic value of the  species, and the presence or absence of and constraints to  output markets. Then, focusing on a subset of underutilized  plant species with market potential, we identify three  necessary conditions for the successful commercialization  of underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor:  demand expansion, increased efficiency of supply and  marketing channels, and a supply control mechanism. This  conceptual framework is intended to provide a basis for an  empirical assessment of marketing solutions for  underutilized plant species among the rural poor in  developing economies.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/55418},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.55418},
}