Strategic repositioning of African indigenous vegetables in the Horticulture Sector

Abstract: 
African indigenous vegetables that formed an integral part of African diets lost popularity with introduction of exotic crops including vegetables. With over half the populace living below the poverty line, there is need for paradigm shift in production patterns. To raise their status, a multi disciplinary programme was initiated at two universities in Kenya in early 1990’s. Strategies used included advocacy, outreach, capacity building, conservation, seed supply systems, value addition and engaging actors along the value chain. Up-scaling these strategies, breeding and commercialization is recommended for health improvement and wealth creation in Africa.
Les légumes indigènes africains qui ont constitué une partie intégrante des régimes africains ont perdu de sa popularité avec l’introduction d’espèces exotiques. Avec plus de la moitié de la population vivant en dessous du seuil de pauvreté, il est nécessaire de changement de paradigme dans les modes de production. Pour améliorer leur statut, un programme multidisciplinaire a été lancé dans deux universités au Kenya au début des années 1990. Les stratégies utilisées incluent la plaidoyer, la sensibilisation, le renforcement des capacités, la conservation, les systèmes d’approvisionnement en semences, la valeur ajoutée engager les acteurs le long de la chaîne de valeur. Mise en valeur de ces stratégies, l’élevage et la commercialisation sont recommandés pour améliorer la santé et la création de richesses en Afrique.
Language: 
English
Date of publication: 
2010
Country: 
Region Focus: 
East Africa
Author/Editor(s): 
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
ISSN: 
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Extent: 
1413-1419
Notes: 

About the RUFORUM 2010 Biennal Conference
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Food Science"