Diversity, Nutrition and Food Security:

The Case of African Leafy Vegetables

Ruth Oniang’o, Kennedy Shiundu, Patrick Maundu and Timothy Johns

Food security and poverty situation in Africa

Africa has more countries with food security problems than any other region340 million people live on less than $1 a dayOf the 44 countries with poor or critical food security, 30 are in Africa

Source; FAO 1996

Nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa –an Overview

About 1/3 of sub-Saharan Africa’s population were undernourished in 1997-99.Vegetable and fruit consumption per capita in sub-Saharan declining.High prevalence (2/3 of population) of mineral and vitamin deficiency especially iron, zinc, and vitamin A

Nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa cont…

High prevalence of micronutrient deficiency related diseases – anaemia, blindness etc.Women and children are most affectedAn estimated 42.2% of children in SSA at risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD)

Eating Habits Are Changing

Increased intake of fatty foods and refined carbohydratesUrban areas most affectedResult: increased incidences of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and cancer – all previously rare in SSA

HIV/AIDS and MalariaFurther complications

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to close to two-thirds of all people living with HIV!90% of all new cases of malaria worldwide (300-500 million) found in SSA Micronutrients deficiency undermining the region’s ability to alleviate the debilitating effects of HIV and malaria

Defeating Food insecurity, Disease and Poverty

It can be done!!

What Can African Leafy Vegetables Do?A lot, but the challenge is great!!

Major barriers:Cultural changes and new food habitsIgnorance is the counter current to development

A High Diversity of Nutritious Vegetables

SSA has a high diversity of leafy vegetablesAbout 1000 species are used traditionallyThe Giriama people in coastal Kenya have documented about 100 species which they use regularly ALVs can contribute vitamins and minerals

Nutrient Contribution of Leafy Vegetables

pro-vitamin A (β-carotene)

vitamin C folate

Iron calcium

fibreprotein

The Worrying TrendALVs have been neglected in research and extensionRange of ALVs consumed falling. Only about two dozens are now used regularlyIn most places, these have been replaced by a few exotic vegetables –mainly white cabbageGenetic diversity being eroded

Enhancing quality of genetic material of priority ALVs

Germplasmselection can lead to higher yields.

This variety of African Nightshade can yield upto 40 tonnes per ha. Solanum scabrumSolanum scabrum

Areas of Intervention on ALVs

Improving seed systems and germplasmmanagementImproving production, handling, processing and marketingResearch in nutrition, agronomy and marketing Training and Education at all levelsPublic Awareness and PromotionInformation dissemination

Improving marketing systems for ALVs

Transporting Gnetum 600 km to IdenauSeaport, Cameroon.

Transporting Gnetum 600 km to IdenauSeaport, Cameroon.

Traders packing roselle before transporting it to city. Senegal

Traders packing roselle before transporting it to city. Senegal

Case study I: Rural Outreach Programme (ROP)

A Kenyan a non-profit organization.Since 1997, working with farmers in rural western Kenya in growing ALVs and to produce seed for marketing.Experience in Poverty Alleviation Through Women EmpowermentUsing ALVs as entry point to better nutrition, food security and wealth creation, for rural women

ROP’s Experience: Improving Seed Systems of ALVs

Providing quality seed in sufficient quantities and at affordable costs. Establishing seed marketing and distribution channels

Processing Cleome gynandra seeds in rural Kenya

Processing Cleome gynandra seeds in rural Kenya

Women Empowerment in Butere– West Kenya cont...

Empowerment and economic freedom for rural womenBegun with one sub-location, but now covers Butere-Mumias District of 540,000 people.Currently working with 200 women groups, with about 5000 members.

Case Study II: The Experience of Family Concern Inc.

Family concern is a local NGO specializing in market creation for local products.

It aims at linking peri-urban and rural ALV farmers to the formal market (supermarkets)Urban people especially young families, prefer the less nutritious ‘modern’ -cabbage and kales.Most did not know how to prepare the traditional vegetables.

Family Concern – Interventions with IPGRI

A partnership with IPGRI, ROP and National Museums of Kenya, to source diversity and promote use.Family concern entered into partnership with Uchumi, a leading chain of supermarkets.Quality control and certification process established. Recipes developed and promoted.Public awareness on value of ALVs launchedMedia involved (radio, TV, print), cooking demonstrations / competitions, etc.

Experience of Family Concern Inc. cont...

Ripple effect.Entry of supermarkets into the business has given ALVs a higher status. Supply and demand in informal market has increased significantly.Parliament

Challenges and Future Direction

Policy support from government needed:

Poor infrastructure Low yields and High post-harvest losses: targeted research required. Poor extension service – need new orientation to local resources Increased financial support from Central Government neededIncrease public awareness and education at all levels

In Conclusion

African leafy vegetables has a major role to play towards the attainment of MDGsAfrican governments have all endorsed MDGsMore research and development is required in these areas:

Production.Public AwarenessIncomes and markets.Dietary diversity and health.

East African lessons need to be scaled up to rest of the region.

Conclusion cont…

Strong links need to be created with policy makers – to put right policies in place

Investment by governments required in research, germplasm management and extension