African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development Rural Outreach Program ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5374 Vol. 7, Num. 4, 2007

African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2007

Promotion of African Leafy Vegetables within the Agricultural Research Council-Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute: The Impact of theProject

Venter Sonja L^*1, Jansen van Rensburg WS¹, Vorster HJ¹, van den Heever E¹ and van Zijl JJB¹

*Corresponding author: E-mail: sventer@arc.agric.za¹ARC-Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute, Private Bag, X 293, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. Tel: +27 12 841 9611

Abstract

The importance of indigenous knowledge and traditional crops in the survival strategies of rural people have only recently been recognized by researchers in South Africa. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the effect of the Promotion of African leafy vegetables for food security and nutrition project on African vegetable research and its impact in the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa

Indigenous crops research is since 1994 an existing research focus area for ARC-Roodeplaat. The impact of the Promotion of African leafy vegetables for food security and nutrition project however was noticeable, since it strengthened existing research projects. The reason for this is that the baseline information gathered as part of this project provided a better understanding of the role these crops play in the survival strategies and food security of the rural communities in South Africa. The production training and awareness actions spilled over into larger extension groups and resulted in more communities targeted, with both gender and age differences addressed.

New research has been initiated to help address some of the problems (production systems) and lack of information (baseline, consumption patterns, nutritional analysis, market value) identified. The food-based approach, Addressing low vitamin A status with the use of orange fleshed sweet potatoes and dark green leafy vegetables, is now starting to incorporate the information gathered during the study in the different communities, thus ensuring a more holistic approach. The potential commercial value of these crops was highlighted and the role it could play for establishing emerging farmers enhanced. Awareness creation within the scientific community was done through publications, papers, posters, workshop and conference attendance, with some conference organizers specifically inviting these contributions. The exposure has led to more national and international institutions making use of the capacity built during the project duration. Universities are partners on nutritional and consumption studies, thus helping to strengthen the capacity in the scientific community on traditional vegetables. All these actions help to uplift the image of African Leafy vegetables from a poor man's crop to a high value niche market crop.

Key words: African Leafy Vegetables, Food Security

The importance of indigenous knowledge and traditional crops in the survival strategies of rural people have only recently been recognized by researchers in South Africa The use of traditional leafy vegetables in communities has been mentioned in various studies during 1963 to 1982 [1]. In South Africa the awareness of indigenous/traditional vegetables is not very high and it is mainly perceived as 'poverty food' by many [2]. The World Health Organisation (WHO) HIV/AIDS statistics in 2005 show increasingly more people affected by this disease and the effect it has on the productivity of vulnerable groups. [3]. These statistics emphasise the potential role that indigenous leafy vegetables could play to improve the quality of life of many people suffering from the disease or as a result of the disease.

The use of leafy vegetables during winter helps to address food shortages in this time. Revival of the use of indigenous leafy vegetables within communities will also ensure a focus on the conservation of these crops and ensuring the availability of diverse genetic material for future needs [4]. These studies indicate the value and important role that indigenous vegetables could play in the survival of populations at risk. ARC-VOPI initiated a research programme on indigenous vegetables in 1994 and has been a partner in the abovementioned project. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the effect of the Promotion of African leafy vegetables for food security and nutrition project on African vegetable research in the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa. The results obtained from this project contributed to improved decision making processes and priority setting of projects within the ARC-Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute.

To enable us to determine the effect that the project had on research in this field in the ARC, it is important to reflect on the research done prior to the implementation of the Abovementioned project. The research done by the Institute prior to the project was prioritized based on a regional meeting facilitated by the International Centre for Underutilized Crop (ICUC) during 1995. This workshop was attended by researchers from various African countries.

Twenty major African vegetable crops were identified and the Institute embarked on a research programme for the development of production practices for five indigenous vegetable crops, including Amaranthus spp, Cleome gynandra, Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea), Vigna subterrannea (Bambara groundnut0 and Okra. The Institute also hosted an African Crops Workshop in March 1995 which was also attended by various researchers from Africa. The Institute was invited to participate in the abovementioned project funded by (International Plant Genetics Research Institute (IPGRI).

At that time the Institute was among the few research organisations in SA that did research on indigenous/African vegetable crops. Our focus was mainly on the development of production methods and pest and disease identification and mitigation. During the period 1998 to 2004 researchers from the Institute were members of an initiative from the SA Government driven by the parliamentary portfolio committee (Department of Science and Technology) to promote and protect the use of indigenous knowledge systems.

The Science Councils and Universities in SA participated in this initiative. The development of indigenous crops became one of the strategic focuses of the Institute as well as other Institutes within the Horticulture and Grain and Industrial Crops Divisions of the ARC.

During the initial phases of the project it was confirmed that African leafy vegetables did and are still today playing a major role in the food security and nutrition and survival strategies of many rural communities in SA [2]. During the time that we were involved with the development of indigenous African vegetables another major research focus area was the development of food based models for the alleviation of malnutrition, with specific emphasis on alleviation of the major Vit A deficiency problem in the country.

This programme was driven by the Medical Research Council of SA (MRC) and the ARC and in the end resulted in the fact that SA became partners in the Vit A for Africa initiative originally driven by the International Potato Center (CIP). Although this initiative mainly focused on the promotion and development of orange fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) to alleviate Vitamin A deficiency, results obtained from this and other studies indicated that the diversification of the food basket available to people in rural communities was crucial if food security was to be addressed in its broadest sense.

The result was the development of a strategy to increase the consumption of micro-nutrient rich foods through the production and promotion of indigenous foods. Researchers from ARC attended an International workshop arranged by the FAO and World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) in this regard during March 2002.

It is therefore clear that various new initiatives and developments, including the abovementioned project influenced the research agenda of ARC-Roodeplaat, Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute. Although a formal impact study was not conducted the specific influence and value of this project on the research agenda of ARC-VOPI became apparent. Information that was gathered as a result of the project assisted in identifying critical research needs and the Institute developed a research programme based on criteria developed from this information.

The results of the project influenced the research agenda in the following ways:

The utilisation of indigenous vegetables in SA is mainly through harvesting them in the wild. Through the project and others that were initiated as a result of this project there are various communities in KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northwest, Eastern Cape and Gauteng that are now cultivating these crops as part of their home gardens. This resulted in an increase in adequate food supply of food, wider variety of food available containing the necessary mix of protein, carbohydrate, together with vitamins and minerals for a healthy diet as well as an improvement in the appropriate quality, quantity and diversity throughout the year. A clear result is that the genetic diversity supports food security in these areas and also provide security against pests, diseases and other environmental conditions.

This was also found by Almekinders and de Boef [4] and they further highlight the important basis that this genetic diversity provides for future agricultural development in the world [4] It was realized in this study that the preparation, processing and marketing of the indigenous/traditional vegetables is an important part of the strategy to have nutritious food available all year round. Researchers from the Institute has been invited to present results obtained through this project as well as other results from our previously established research programme at various conferences in South Africa, including International conferences and workshops on nutrition .

At present various Institutions within SA are planning projects with us in this regard. As a result of these initiatives, the presentation of results and the development of various proposals based on work done in the project, the Institute embarked on several new projects related to indigenous crops research. Other projects were also strengthened by knowledge and information gathered in this project. The baseline work increased the understanding of the role and potential of these crops within the broader framework of agriculture. The result was to also include a focus on the commercialisation of some of these crops with potential, thereby contributing to increased agricultural productivity and competitiveness. This research form one of the pillars of the newly initiated Integrated Food Security and Nutrition (IFSN) programme of the ARC.

As a result of this project and others was proved that improved food supply throughout the year has a fundamental impact on health, which in turn allows adults to be more productive and children to attend school and still be able to concentrate on learning. These projects have improved the year round supply of vegetables and in many instances children were the main beneficiaries. The results obtained from these studies made it clear that in the decision making process of priority setting, factors that are not necessarily related to agricultural production should be taken into consideration and those are now included in the criteria for prioritization of projects of the Institute. It is clear that these can combat the lack food security and balanced nutrition that results in the fact that many families will not be able to carry out all of the existing or increased number of tasks as described by Hunter and Twine [5]. It will also increase their ability to become increasingly productive and will result in improved health of many malnourished populations at risk. The results of the study also indicated that the value of these crops that can be harvested with minimal inputs in terms of labor and finances. A fact also reported by Warren [6].

A direct result of this project was the increased number of accessions of indigenous/African crops in our genebank. The ARC-Roodeplaat gene bank maintains various accessions of traditional and indigenous root and leafy vegetables as well as medicinal plants as seed or as in vitro or in vivo plants. The seeds are stored in cold storage and in vivo plants are kept in field collections, which are planted annually, or in screen houses. Manihot esculenta (Cassava) and Plectranthus esculentus (Livingston potato) are maintained in vitro.

Seed of a wide variety of local and foreign Amaranthus species are stored. Eight of the local accessions were regenerated for screening for drought tolerance. Accessions of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Cleome gynandra (Cats whiskers), Taraxacum officionale (Dandelion), Symphytum officionale (Comfrey) and Gomphrena globosa (globe amaranth) are maintained as seed accessions. Four hundred and twenty nine Accessions of 19 species of Amaranthus are held at the National Botanical Institute at Pretoria. Nineteen Leafy vegetable accessions are held in the genebank of the ARC-Range and Forage Institute.

A direct result of the project was the realization of the importance of access to planting material and the development of sustainable seed supply mechanisms in rural areas.

The nutrient potential of South Africa natural fauna and flora is not known and it is therefore a challenging new area of research. Currently only 20% of South African foods have ever been analyzed for nutrient content. This is despite the fact that results of food that has been analyzed so far in South Africa show that the food composition of local foods differs substantially from those of other countries. However, food composition data is essential in nutritional research, for planning and assessing nutrition intervention studies, planning national food and nutrition policies and prescribing therapeutic and institutional diets as diets of individuals are usually analyzed by utilizing this information.

In a study done by the Department of Food Science at the University of Pretoria the nutrient content of five traditional dark green leafy vegetables was determined. The nutrient analyzes of the traditional dark green leafy vegetables of South Africa revealed that it is a good source of protein, minerals like (such as) iron, calcium phosphorus and magnesium and betacarotene. The values of this experiment differed from previously reported values due to a range of variables. Variables which could have had an influence on the nutrient content are the difference in raw material (the maturity of the leaves), part of the plant utilized, fertilizer used and postharvest handling. Cooking also had an effect on the nutrient content of the dark green leafy vegetables. The moisture content increased insignificantly in the cooking process while there was a significant decrease in mineral as well as proximate composition. Research studies have shown that the betacarotene in dark green leafy vegetables is more bioavailable than in cooked leaves. Curcubita maxima, Cleome gynandra and Amaranthus cruentus had a higher index of nutritional quality than Corchorus olitorius and Vigna unguiculata. The consumption of Curcubita maxima, Cleome gynandra and Amaranthus cruentus should therefore be encouraged. Due to the high nutrient content of these five dark green leafy vegetables, it should be recommended in South Africa and other developing countries to alleviate micronutrient as well as protein energy malnutrition. These leafy vegetables are available in a diversity of regions in South Africa. This knowledge of the nutrient content of these leafy vegetables can therefore play an active role in reducing food insecurity in South Africa.

As a result of results obtained from this project the Institute will now participate in a project funded by the EU with the aim to identify the role and value of indigenous vegetables in urban agriculture in various participating African countries. It will involve a baseline study (questionnaires) in two urban areas as well as various seminars/workshop in different African countries were participants will share knowledge and expertise. Another broad objective is to ensure the identification of Market chains and consumer consumption trends as well as Indigenous vegetables and livelihoods along the rural-urban continuum. The principle partner is the Centre for Arid Zone Studies (CAZS) of the University of Wales. Other partners are from Europe (4) and Africa (10). The project will also focus on the linking of communities, extension services, researchers and policy makers for Indigenous Vegetable production.

Another project that is initiated is a project funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC): Nutritional value and water use of indigenous crops for improved livelihoods and the research partners are UP, ARC-Roodeplaat, Tshwane University of Technology and the MRC. The aim of this project is improved livelihoods through increased food security and well-being among groups that are vulnerable to malnutrition by means of increased water productivity in indigenous crop cultivation in selected areas of South Africa. This project is also a result of research done on determining the drought tolerance of some indigenous crops in SA previously funded by the WRC and IAEA.

The aim of amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus) research conducted by the New Crop Pathology Programme (NCPP) of the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of the Orange Free State is to serve new crop growers with information on sustainable methods to manage or control actual and potential disease problems. The primary research objective has been to develop an understanding of the biotic interactions that occur between amaranth and endophytic/latent infecting fungi (particularly Alternaria, Botryosphaeria, and Fusarium species) and, where relevant, insect pests that are associated with these interactions. The relevance of these interactions to the health and yield of amaranth has been the main focus. In the past five years significant breakthroughs were made regarding interactions between Amaranthus hybridus, pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium spp. and quiescent pathogens such as Alternaria tenuissima. Vector relationships between fungal pathogens of the crop and various insect pests were also studied. This provided an excellent foundation for the development of sustainable IPM programmes for South Africa. A very large collection of endophytic Alternaria isolates (ca. 3000) was collected which will serve as a very valuable asset to understanding this important genus of fungus.

The potential commercial value of indigenous crops as well as their role in food security and survival strategies of communities was highlighted. The role it could play for establishing emerging farmers was also determined. Awareness creation within the scientific community was done through publications, presentations, posters, workshop and conference attendance, with some conference organizers specifically inviting these contributions. The exposure has led to more national and international institutions making use of the capacity built during the project duration. Universities are partners on nutritional and consumption studies, thus helping to strengthen the capacity in the scientific community on traditional vegetables. A direct result of this and other projects was the understanding of how farm productivity can be increased through the utilisation of indigenous crops. The attendance of community feedback sessions, interaction with farmers and scientists now resulted in the principle that the farming system in its totality needs to be taken into account and research will be done to investigate multi and intercropping to enhance the intensification of a single component of the farming system. The addition to new productive elements to the farming system became crucial and future initiatives are to focus on interventions that will provide boost to the total farm food production system and/or income.

Lessons learned from this project strengthened other projects and vice versa. Social learning was a vital part of this process in the adjustment to sustainable production systems. It was proven that the conventional model of understanding technology adoption as a simple matter of diffusion is no longer valid. The systems developed are about the building of capacity of farmers and rural communities to learn about the complex ecological and biophysical complexity in their fields and farms and then to act in different ways that is appropriate to the system. The process of learning provoked changes in behavior and resulted in the fact that we now collectively understand and transform this information into workable sustainable seed supply systems. This lead to greater innovation in the rural areas where this and other projects are based with the increased likelihood that the underlying social processes are more likely to persist. This also impacted in improved social and human capital. Communities and researchers now formed a stronger social organization where norms for collective natural resource management were established and the local capacity to experiment and solve own problems were increased.

By identifying culturally accepted foods of a high nutrient quality, the general heath of the communities in SA can be improved by combating malnutrition and human diseases, as effective community nutritional education can be performed based on this knowledge.

By applying suitable innovative processing to foods eaten by rural populations with a high nutrient content new technologies and value adding could be introduced to the products. New markets can be developed not only benefiting South Africa, but also the Southern African region. Amaranthus grain has been developed as a high value niche market crop in the Gauteng province of the country and products of this crop are being sold in a chain store supermarket. In this way farmers have been supported to participate in mainstream agriculture and become economically sustainable. As a result of this programme farmers have been capacitated to make economically viable decisions.

As our communities become more exposed to the value of their indigenous foods, food patterns and food habits are changing. By selecting foods from rural populations in South Africa and determining the nutrient and taste potential they can be utilised as a valuable source of raw materials and to develop into useful new products (information) and in this way contribute to the basket of foods available for not only food security, but also commercial potential in terms of diversification.

By identifying the culturally accepted methods of preparation more information became known about the nutrient status. Once a new nutritious product(s) has been established in the community, this food product could be identified and can be processed and distributed within the community thereby contributing to prosperity. As people become urbanized they very often yearn for the foods that is nutritious and from their childhood. This is an area in the food chain that has not yet been exploited to the full in South Africa.

It is clear that the broader Indigenous crops research programme both gained from and contributed to the successes achieved in this project. Information gathered strengthened other projects whereas other projects in their turn contributed to the outcomes of this project. Skills and capacity gained during this project will now be utilised in other projects and hopefully this project will also be continued with new research priorities identified as a result of this and other studies. All these actions and interventions helped to uplift the image of African Leafy vegetables from a poor man's crop to a high value niche market crop, but still highlighted the importance of these crops in the survival of many rural communities in South Africa. Major contributors to success through these projects were the fact that appropriate technologies was introduced, adapted and adopted by participants in the various projects; increased participation of communities and farmers in the experimental process to adapt appropriate technologies within their unique situation, social learning and participatory approaches were utilised and developed to optimally engage all role-players; good linkages between various projects/initiatives and the researchers participating in those facilitated an enhanced learning process where outcomes of one project strengthened others and vice versa.

It is recommended that an in depth impact study be done. This is important to identify potential gaps and research priorities for future research. From results obtained to date it was determined that further studies should be performed to determine nutrient content of a wide range of indigenous crops. Sensory tests should be conducted. The role of these sensory tests is to provide valid and reliable information to research and development, production, and marketing in order to make sound business decisions about the perceived sensory properties of indigenous vegetables. Descriptive sensory evaluation addresses the complexity of food systems by taking into account as many of a food's attributes or notes as possible.

The appearance, flavour and texture of vegetables are the most important characteristics influencing the consumer's acceptance and eventually behavior towards buying or not-buying. Information obtained in this regard will supply meaningful recommendations to the product manufacturers as well as give insight into the positioning of the products relatively to each other in the current market. Furthermore it is important to develop production packages and guidelines for these crops and continue to participate in international networks in this regard. It will be important to establish systems for participatory learning if we want to ensure that information on sustainable agriculture spread to more communities and farmers. Attention should be given to developing an enabling environment and investing in infrastructure for markets, transport and communication. Efforts should be made to ensure government agencies are supportive of the initiatives within the context of this and future projects.

1. Fox FW and ME Norwood-Young Food from the veld: Edible Wild plants of Southern Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg, South Africa. 1982.
2. Vorster HJ, Jansen van Rensburg WS, Mashele XB and E Ndlela The effect of (re)-creating awareness of traditional leafy vegetables on communities. Proceedings of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum Conference, Clanwilliam, South Africa, 5-8 July 2003. 2003.
3. World Health Organization www.who.int?hiv/FS_SubsaharanAfrica_Nov05_en.pdf accessed 25 November 2005.
4. Almekinders CJM and WS de Boef Institutional perspectives on participatory approaches to use and conservation of agro-biodiversity. In: Friis-Hansen E & B Sthapit. Technical Bulletin on Participatory Approaches in use and conservation of Plant Genetic Resources. IPGRI, Rome. 2000, 2: 22-26.
5. Hunter LM and W Twine Adult Mortality and Household Dietary Use of the Local Environment: Qualitative Evidence from the Agincourt Field Site in Rural South Africa. Institute of Behavioral Science Working Paper EB2005-0001. Boulder: Research Program on Environment and Behavior, University of Colarado at Boulder. 2005.
6. Warren DM Using Indigenous Knowledge in Agricultural Development. World Bank Discussion Papers no. 127. World Bank, Washington DC, USA. 1991.

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