| Contributions of neglected species |
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- Food security - Better income for rural poor - Ecosystem stability |
| Global Commitment |
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There
is a global commitment to better management, use and
conservation of neglected species. Article 12 of the Global Plan
of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (FAO 1996)
calls for the development and commercialization of underutilized
crops and species. Agenda 21 and the Global Forum for
Agricultural Research have also recognized their potential. |
| And now... |
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Future
work on traditional vegetables in Africa will focus on germplasm
management. Components include: - Ensuring adequate seed supply - Breeding and selection for improved varieties that breed true-to-type and meet people’s needs - Agronomic practices to boost yields - Better nutrition through better preparation and processing - Maintaining and extending benefits to women and their families |
International Plant Genetic resources
Institute
Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a
00057 Maccarese
(Fiumicino)
Rome, Italy
Tel: (+39) 0661181
Fax: (+39) 0661979661
Email: ipgri@cgiar.org
www.ipgri.cgiar.org
IPGRI is
a Future Harvest Centre supported by the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
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Neglected no longer |
The people of the world depend on just three plant species - maize, rice and wheat - to supply more than half of the protein and energy they need.
But protein and energy alone are not
enough; vitamins, trace elements and other nutrients are vital for
good health. The hidden hunger for these essentials can be satisfied
by a hidden harvest of so-called minor crops.
Some people have thought that these
minor crops are important only in times of shortage, as "famine
foods". On the contrary. Work by IPGRI and its partners in
Sub-Saharan Africa shows clearly that these species are not only a
regular and important source of food for local communities, they also
offer the poorest people a chance to generate income.
Minor crops, however, have been
relatively neglected by the genetic resources community, and they are
at increasing risk. Continuing deforestation threatens the habitats in
which some neglected plants grow. Modern agriculture, which
concentrates on genetically uniform fields of conventionally valuable
crops, also leaves less room in which to grow locally important
species. And yet these species offer considerable advantages.
In marginal lands, neglected species are often better adapted to local
growing conditions. They may withstand environmental stress more
easily, and be able to make an important contribution to sustainable
production without needing expensive inputs of water or fertilizer.
They also enhance the genetic richness of farm and garden plots, thus
contributing to their ecological stability. Indeed in fragile
environments neglected species may well be more valuable and more
appropriate than conventional crops.
IPGRI has taken an active interest in traditional crops for more than
a decade and has helped several partners in Sub-Saharan Africa to
co-operate to enhance the value of neglected leafy vegetable species.
More than 200 such species are used across the region, and most
recently have been studied in detail in a project co-ordinated by
IPGRI and funded by the Dutch government.
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Nutrition Throughout the region traditional crops are valued for their nutritional importance and ability to cure diseases. In Kenya, Cleome gynandra, a species people particularly like, has high levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium and iron. There is considerable variation between different plant types, holding out the prospect of boosting nutritional value even more by distributing improved selections. |
Marketing In Botswana, many different leafy vegetables are known as morogo, a cheap source of protein that often substitutes for meat. Although fresh morogo is widely available in the rainy season, it loses its freshness quickly. However, it can be easily dried, retaining much of its nutritional value. Dried morogo has proved more and more popular with town dwellers, and is easy for rural people to produce and sell. |
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Seed Supply Most traditional leafy vegetables are not part of the formal seed sector. Some species maintain themselves as weeds in cultivated fields. Others are more difficult to propagate. In Cameroon, for example, leafy species of Solanum do not set good seed where the plants are cherished most. Farmers throughout the region identify lack of seeds of the most important crops as an important constraint. A second phase of the Dutch-funded project will see IPGRI work with partners on germplasm management, to ensure an adequate supply of varieties that breed true to type. |
Cultural Values Neglected species often have considerable meaning for the people who eat them. In Senegal, people value the Drumstick or Horseradish Tree (Moringa oleifera) because it is good to eat and is effective against anemia. But they also believe it will “bring peace and harmony in the family”. In parts of Kenya a new bride’s family traditionally brings Cleome gynandra as a ceremonial food to the groom’s house. It seals the marriage and recognizes that the dowry has been paid. |
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Women and children Throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, women make most use of neglected species. They cultivate and process these crops and gather them from the wild. They are also the main actors in the marketplace, often using the income to help pay for their children’s school. Enhancing the production and economic value of traditional leafy vegetables will have to proceed with care to ensure that women remain the key beneficiaries. |
Research Research is enhancing the value of neglected species. In Zambia, researchers showed that removing half the leaves every two weeks improves the productivity of Ethiopian mustards (Brassica carinata). Removing side branches early in flowering lifts the final seed yield. In South Africa, Amaranthus leaves tasted better after the plants were given nitrogen fertilizer. |
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