Problem Scope

Global food security is under growing pressure from climate change, extreme weather, pests, and disease. Although more than 20,000 edible plant species exist worldwide, just 30 account for 95% of our calorie intake. Of those, 60% of our calories come from only three species: rice, maize, and wheat. In the UK, this over-reliance on a few crops is mirrored, with around 70% of arable land dominated by just four crops: wheat, barley, oilseed rape, and oats. This leaves our food system seriously vulnerable to disruption.

The risks are already here. In 2024, UK wheat yields fell by 20% after record rainfall. Climate projections warn of hotter summers, wetter winters, and an accelerating spread of pests, creating an ever-increasing set of challenges for the crops we depend on.

Within the diversity of underutilised and native crops, however, lie untapped solutions. Some species offer resilience to local stresses, others contribute to healthier diets, and many support regenerative farming practices. Yet without investment, they remain overlooked, their potential trapped by complexity and underdevelopment.

New technologies, from AI to synthetic biology, are breaking open new possibilities to utilise these species. By decoding resilience traits, accelerating crop improvement, and adapting plants to changing environments, they offer a chance to build a more diverse, nutritious, and climate-resilient food system.

PlantHack invites you to shape this future, fusing science, technology, and creativity to rethink how we choose and engineer our crops. Help us secure a food future that is more resilient, more sustainable, and more diverse.