noun
emergency crops; famine-relief crops
Refers to crops planted specifically to provide food in case of famine or poor harvests. Often includes hardy staples like wheat, barley, buckwheat, and potatoes.
備荒作物としてソバが栽培されている。
Buckwheat is grown as an emergency crop.
昔の農家は、不作に備
Farmers in the past planted famine-relief crops in case of poor harvests.