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By 2050, the global population is projected to surpass 9 billion, with most growth concentrated in low-income areas such as sub-Saharan Africa. These areas, already struggling with drought and food insecurity, face intensified pressure on water resources. Modern agriculture’s focus on a narrow range of crops has marginalized indigenous food crops despite their potential benefits. In South Africa, while the country is officially food-secure, rural communities still face food and nutrition insecurity. Indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) such as Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius), and spider plant (Cleome gynandra) are abundant and accessible in these regions but remain underutilized. A study investigated how smallholder farmers could cultivate indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) to improve household food security. Despite their high nutritional value, the consumption of ILVs is decreasing. The study highlighted the importance of strengthening the ILV value chain—encompassing production, processing, and marketing. Expanding the use of ILVs has the potential to enhance food security, raise household income, improve health outcomes, and promote crop diversity. Scaling up the use of ILVs could improve food security, increase household income, enhance health outcomes, and boost crop diversity. However, limited agro-processing technologies and product development for ILVs remain barriers. Promoting their cultivation and consumption offers a sustainable path to addressing nutritional and economic challenges in rural communities.

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Harnessing Indigenous Leafy Vegetables for Poverty Alleviation and Economic Upliftment in Marginalized South African Communities

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Manaka J. Makgato,
  • Salmina Mokgehle,
  • Azwimbavhi Reckson Mulidzi,
  • Willem Jansen van Rensburg,
  • Mariette Truter,
  • Michael Bairu,
  • Fhatuwani Nixwell Mudau,
  • Hintsa Araya

摘要

By 2050, the global population is projected to surpass 9 billion, with most growth concentrated in low-income areas such as sub-Saharan Africa. These areas, already struggling with drought and food insecurity, face intensified pressure on water resources. Modern agriculture’s focus on a narrow range of crops has marginalized indigenous food crops despite their potential benefits. In South Africa, while the country is officially food-secure, rural communities still face food and nutrition insecurity. Indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) such as Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius), and spider plant (Cleome gynandra) are abundant and accessible in these regions but remain underutilized. A study investigated how smallholder farmers could cultivate indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) to improve household food security. Despite their high nutritional value, the consumption of ILVs is decreasing. The study highlighted the importance of strengthening the ILV value chain—encompassing production, processing, and marketing. Expanding the use of ILVs has the potential to enhance food security, raise household income, improve health outcomes, and promote crop diversity. Scaling up the use of ILVs could improve food security, increase household income, enhance health outcomes, and boost crop diversity. However, limited agro-processing technologies and product development for ILVs remain barriers. Promoting their cultivation and consumption offers a sustainable path to addressing nutritional and economic challenges in rural communities.