Unfortunately, their natural wild habitats are increasingly under threat from both human activities and natural disasters. Habitat loss has a direct, negative impact on the diversity of these valuable resources. These guidelines, intended as reference materials for preparing a National Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Crop Wild Relatives and Wild Food Plants, will contribute to stemming this continuing loss in diversity. The guidelines are therefore a useful tool for development practitioners, researchers, students and policy-makers who work on the conservation and sustainable use of these valuable resources.