Rare and under-cultivated vegetable crops for livestock and human health

Health and nutrition play a prime role in human longevity. Leafy vegetables are plant products used as salad, steamed, or cooked to supply food and support health. Some of these (Alternanthera sessilis, Aerva lanata, and Moringa oleifera) are under-cultivated globally due to their production constraints, climate adaptability, lack of knowledge in the supply of seed to non-traditional areas, and are underutilized due to a lack of awareness, though available in the market. The description of the vegetable part(s) of the crop, their production statistics if available, nutrition, and health benefits through their inclusion in human or livestock diet, research done to date with improvements in breeding and biotechnology, will be presented.