Promoting indigenous vegetables in urban agriculture & livelihoods : policy lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa

[From Introduction] Globally, the growth of urbanised areas continues at an exponential rate, and most spectacularly in the developing world. The global urban population will increase from 2.9 billion in 2000 to 5.0 billion by 2030. The mean rate of urban growth in non-OECD countries between 2000 and 2005 was just under 3% per annum, compared to 0.5 % for rural regions of the same countries (UN-Habitat 2006). Although the proportion of Africans currently living in urban areas is the lowest in the world (+ 40%), because of this low base it is not unsurprising that the rates of urbanisation are among the highest at approximately 4.3% per annum. Projections vary, but sometime in the mid- 2020s over 50% of Africa's population will be living in urban areas, as compared to just 15% in 1950 and 34% in 1994. As urbanisation takes place another important trend is revealed, namely the locus of poverty in Africa is slowly shifting from rural to urban areas. For example, it is estimated that more than 56% of the world's absolute or chronic poor will be concentrated in urban areas (WRI 1996). Since as much as 60-80% of the income of the urban poor is spent on the purchase of food (Maxwell et al. 2000), the issue of food supply, both its quantity and quality, is increasingly a central issue in poverty reduction debates and strategies. In rural areas, a common strategy to alleviate poverty is to call for measures to boost small-holder food production. Surprisingly, this is less common in urban poverty alleviation programmes, despite the widespread promise of urban and household agriculture in contributing to improved food security

Production of and trade in African indigenous vegetables in the urban and peri-urban areas of Durban, South Africa

This paper reports on the farming and trade of lesser known crops, here termed African indigenous vegetables (AIVs), in the Durban metropole. Most households grow AIVs, and collect them from the wild, primarily for home consumption. Modal income from sale was approximately R30 per month per farmer, most of whom were middle-aged to elderly females, with limited education, who had been cultivating AIVs here for many years. The main constraints to greater sales were deemed to be low market demand and adverse climate. The commonest AIVs grown were pumpkin leaves, taro and amaranth. Although most farmers sold very little, there is a thriving retail trade in AIVs. Generally, retailers were females, but younger and more educated than the farmers. The majority viewed retailing as a full-time occupation. Modal income for retailers was R450 per month, but included non-AIV produce. Most of the traders thought there was insufficient market demand for AIVs

A review of urban and peri-urban vegetable production in West Africa

International audienceAfter a long history of opposition, urban agriculture was gradually accepted as a solution to food shortages caused by adverse economic and climatic events in West Africa. In the last two decades, vegetable production has become increasingly important in many West African capitals. It is the main source of income for an estimated 1000 to 3000 producers per capital, and benefits people all along the supply chain. In Dakar, for example, urban production supplies 60% of all vegetables consumed in the city, and 15000 people are estimated to benefit indirectly from vegetable production. Produce includes exotic vegetables (e.g. tomato, sweet pepper, carrot, lettuce, and cabbage) grown in every country and indigenous vegetables (preference being given to leafy indigenous vegetables in the humid tropical countries, and to fruits of indigenous vegetables in the Sahelian countries). In spite of the multiple benefits, many concerns continue to be raised about the quality of vegetables produced in and around the cities. Producers frequently use banned or inappropriate pesticides in excessive quantities, and also polluted irrigation water, wastewater, and untreated sewage sludge. These problems are exacerbated by the lack of enforcement of environmental legislation from local authorities and lack of support given to farmers (in the form of credit, secure tenure, extension services, etc.). This paper reviews available literature on the characteristics of urban vegetable production systems (e.g. types of crops grown, scale of production, farming constraints, health risks, etc.) from six West African countries. By contrasting the case studies set within the context of their respective urban policy environments, the paper seeks to provide an up-to-date evaluation of the potential of urban vegetable production for a modern West African city, highlighting priority areas for research and development

Alirocumab and cardiovascular outcomes after acute coronary syndrome

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Alirocumab and Cardiovascular Outcomes after Acute Coronary Syndrome

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