Dryland Greens Index (DGI)
A New Framework for Evaluating Climate-Resilient Green Foods for Future Food Systems Introduction As the world faces growing challenges related to climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity, there is an urgent need to rethink how we evaluate food resources. Traditional food assessment models have primarily focused on nutritional composition, measuring factors such as calories, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. While these indicators remain important, they are no longer sufficient for understanding the true value of food in an increasingly uncertain environmental future. The twenty-first century demands a broader perspective. Future food systems must not only provide nutrition but also demonstrate resilience, sustainability, adaptability, and ecological compatibility. Crops that can survive extreme heat, prolonged drought, poor soils, and limited water availability may become increasingly important as global environmental pres...
