Healthy people are more capable of participating in economic and social activities, and thereby improve their wellbeing and standard of living. Integrating a variety of healthy foods into diets can minimise the potential loss of human cognitive and physical abilities as a result of micronutrient deficiencies.

Horticultural crops, which include fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, medicinal plants and ornamentals, represent a wide range of species that can be grown in diverse agro-ecological zones throughout the year. Introducing a diversity of horticultural crops increases the resilience of agricultural system, promotes ecological sustainability and contributes to the local economic growth.