African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are key to food security and income generation in Africa and are increasing in demand.
In this project, not only is commitment to bolstered food security but also sparked a rise in income generation across Africa. Through our dedicated project team's efforts, we've not only heightened consumption and demand for these nutritious greens but also cultivated awareness about them, facilitated better access to both the vegetables and seeds, and even spearheaded the development of novel varieties.
Countries
Kenya
The problem
Sub-Saharan Africa's population continues to increase significantly. In Kenya, the strong population growth with an average annual growth rate of 2.3% (United Nations Department of Economic Social Affairs Population Dynamics, 2021) has led to increasing demand for food and increased use of natural resources. As in many African countries, Kenya's population will double by 2050. However, 36.8% of the population or more than 18 million people in Kenya, live below the poverty line of 1.9 US dollars a day, the population faces a critical challenge; food insecurity. Diets often lack essential nutrients, leading to health complications. While modern agricultural solutions are explored, a powerful, yet forgotten, answer lies within traditional knowledge systems – African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs).
What is this project doing?
The project focuses on addressing the limitations hindering the growth of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) despite their potential in enhancing food security and income generation in Africa. While there's a rising awareness of the nutritional benefits of AIVs among East African consumers and efforts to produce improved varieties, the lack of quality seeds remains a significant bottleneck. Most farmers rely on seeds saved from previous crops or from unreliable open-air markets, limiting access to improved varieties and impacting both purity and germination rates.
To tackle this issue, the project implements a holistic approach along the entire value chain. It emphasizes the importance of farmer-led seed enterprises in promoting crop diversity and improving livelihoods through seed production and marketing. By empowering farmers to judge seed quality, the project aims to enable them to demand and supply high-quality seeds, thus enhancing their income and contributing to food security.
Key activities include promoting AIVs among consumers, encouraging the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) by vegetable growers, providing training in value addition and business skills, and developing new varieties from local landraces. Additionally, advocacy efforts aim to influence policies that recognize the need for a pluralistic seed system integrating both informal and formal sectors.
Results
The project has achieved significant results, reaching over one million consumers and growers through various promotional activities. Training programs have led to remarkable productivity improvements among farmers who adopted GAP. The collection and classification of local landraces of AIVs in Kenya have laid the foundation for developing new varieties, benefiting both growers and consumers in the long term. Policy briefs and advocacy efforts have addressed challenges in the seed industry and lobbied for a more formalized seed business.
Establishment of 'Innovation platforms' facilitates collaboration among stakeholders to identify and address bottlenecks in the value chains for AIV seed and crops, enabling collective planning and implementation of solutions. The project is making significant strides towards enhancing the sustainability and productivity of AIVs while contributing to food security and income generation in Africa.