African Indigenous Vegetables in Urban Agriculture

Charlie M Shackleton editor Margaret W Pasquini editor Axel W Drescher editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:12th Oct '16

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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African Indigenous Vegetables in Urban Agriculture cover

This book provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge of the potential and challenges associated with the multiple roles, use, management and livelihood contributions of indigenous vegetables in urban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. There has been growing research and policy effort around urban agriculture in the region over the last two decades, but never has it been integrated with work on under-researched crops such as indigenous vegetables. These species have multiple advantages, including low input requirements, adaptability to African environments, high nutritional value and marked biodiversity, cultural and local food security significance. Yet they are overlooked in the modern world, where recent emphasis has been directed to growing a limited range of exotic crops, both for internal markets and for export to developed country markets. This book provides evidence that, in spite of this neglect, in many African cities indigenous vegetables are still widely used, cultivated and marketed. It goes on to consider their potential to contribute to income generation and poverty alleviation of the growing numbers of urban dwellers in sub-Saharan Africa, whilst promoting urban greening and sustainability. Based on critical analysis of the debates it presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the realities and future opportunities.

'The twenty- one contributors to this book represent a broad variety of institutions, mostly African, and fields ranging from ethnobotany and horticulture to nutrition, economics, sociology, and soil science. This diverse expertise has allowed authoritative presentation on many different facets of the subject. In short, the volume is both informative and inspiring; it is highly recommended for those interested in sustainable agriculture (on any continent) or African ethnobotany.' -Wendy Applequist, Economic Botany

'Offers a comprehensive synthesis of all the issues surrounding indigenous vegetables in urban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa' - CTA Spore

'All chapters contain valuable information in key fields of interest.' - David Gibbon, The Journal of Experimental Agriculture, Vol 46 (2), 2010

'A useful publication'-IZWA

ISBN: 9781138148840

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 453g

336 pages