A review of indigenous food crops in Africa and the implications for more sustainable and healthy food systems

Akinola, Racheal; Pereira, Laura Maureen; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; De Bruin, Francia-Marie; Rusch, Loubie

A review of indigenous food crops in Africa and the implications for more sustainable and healthy food systems

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akinola_review_2020.pdf(349.85 KB)

Date

2020-04-24

Authors

Akinola, Racheal

Pereira, Laura Maureen

Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe

De Bruin, Francia-Marie

Rusch, Loubie

Publisher

MDPI

Abstract

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Indigenous and traditional foods crops (ITFCs) have multiple uses within society, and most notably have an important role to play in the attempt to diversify the food in order to enhance food and nutrition security. However, research suggests that the benefits and value of indigenous foods within the South African and the African context have not been fully understood and synthesized. Their potential value to the African food system could be enhanced if their benefits were explored more comprehensively. This synthesis presents a literature review relating to underutilized indigenous crop species and foods in Africa. It organizes the findings into four main contributions, nutritional, environmental, economic, and social-cultural, in line with key themes of a sustainable food system framework. It also goes on to unpack the benefits and challenges associated with ITFCs under these themes. A major obstacle is that people are not valuing indigenous foods and the potential benefit that can be derived from using them is thus neglected. Furthermore, knowledge is being lost from one generation to the next, with potentially dire implications for long-term sustainable food security. The results show the need to recognize and enable indigenous foods as a key resource in ensuring healthy food systems in the African continent.

Description

CITATION: Akinola, Racheal et al. 2020. A review of indigenous food crops in Africa and the implications for more sustainable and healthy food systems. Sustainability, 12(8):3493, doi:10.3390/su12083493.
The original publication is available at: https://www.mdpi.com

Keywords

ITFC, Food supply -- Africa, Sustainable agriculture, Environment, Social culture, Nutrients, Plant, Indigenous crops, Food supply -- Economic conditions, Food -- Health aspects

Citation

Akinola, Racheal et al. 2020. A review of indigenous food crops in Africa and the implications for more sustainable and healthy food systems. Sustainability, 12(8):3493, doi:10.3390/su12083493

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/124403

Collections

Research Articles (Food Science)

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