African Indigenous Vegetables in Urban Agriculture

Synopsis

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.

Copyright:

2009

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

Book Size:

336 Pages

ISBN-13:

9781136574986

Related ISBNs:

9781844077151, 9781849770019, 9781138148840

Publisher:

Taylor and Francis

Date of Addition:

10/26/23

Copyrighted By:

Charlie M. Shackleton, Margaret W. Pasquini and Axel W. Drescher

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Nonfiction, Science

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.

Edited by:

Charlie M. Shackleton

Edited by:

Margaret W. Pasquini

Edited by:

Axel W. Drescher