Minor Use Foundation Information

What is the MUF? A non-profit organization committed to extending the international reach of crop protection tools to produce healthy and diverse minor-use crops worldwide. What is a minor use crop? A minor-use crop is a crop grown on a small scale. This includes most fruits and vegetables as well as nuts, herbs, and ornamentals. In many of our international partner's agricultural systems, because they are not conventionally run, a majority of their crops fit into this category. Why are minor use crops important? Minor-use crops are high value. Not only do they market at higher prices than major crops, but they provide vital nutritional sustenance. Minor-use crops also help to increase the biodiversity of our agroecosystems (the ecosystem of a field crop) which can promote soil health, nutrient recycling, and crop endurance against weather and pests. Why is the MUF important? Minor-use crops receive less support than major-use crops from the agrochemical industry because they may provide insufficient economic incentives. It is also more challenging to accomplish the regulated application of pesticides for registrants (companies that own pesticides) in some countries with less developed regulatory systems. A lack of established international MRLs (maximum residue limit) is a significant barrier to trade. Here at MUF, we support the cultivation and trade of minor-use crops by providing the necessary research and field training to get pesticides into minor-use fields all over the world.