Production and Marketing of African Indigenous Leafy Vegetables

Abstract

PREFACE: It is unusual for young scientists to identify so strongly with the concerns and needs of their research subjects that they want to give them something substantial to help solve their everyday problems. Instead, it is common research practice that data on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods strategies, behaviour, and working conditions are extracted for research purposes, solely to be published in articles in high-impact scientific journals. In HORTINLEA interdisciplinary research programme, the 30 predominantly Kenyan, but also German and Tanzanian doctoral students agreed that they would not use their last summer term on statistics, scientific writing, or presentation techniques, but would use the term to hold a practical field day on AIV cultivation and marketing with and for smallholder farmers. This field day was intended to showcase innovative practices that are considered promising in applied research on production, socio-economics, marketing, and consumption of AIVs. In preparation for this field day, which took place in December 2018 in Bondo, the idea of a handbook to translate scientific findings to practical farm advice in farmer-friendly language was born. It was expected that rural advisory services and trainers could use the handbook to teach improved production and marketing practices for AIVs. The most practical and important knowledge gained over the course of their research was extracted,verified, and prepared from the research findings for inclusion in the handbook. The first draft was prepared by Judith Henze based on the expert knowledge of farmers, doctoral students, and their supervisors. These recommendations were peer-reviewed by two farmer groups to check for comprehensibility and identify knowledge gaps. Subsequently, the handbook was reviewed by scientists from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in the fields of soil fertility (Prof. Christof Engels), post-harvest management (Prof. Dr. Susanne Huyskens-Keil), and agricultural extension (Martin Ihm). A final review was conducted by Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) who has promoted farmer-friendly research in Kenya for many years and is a figurehead for the promotion of AIV crops in smallholder systems. Dr. Arnold Opiyo contributed to the concept of this handbook and gave it a final touch. It is an art and a challenge to derive sound recommendations for upgrading smallholder production and marketing practices from scientific findings. The handbook contains the main steps for upgrading the AIV value chain from sowing and planting, tillage, pest and disease management, irrigation and water management, harvesting, and post-harvest activities. These steps are complemented by information on how to keep farm records and where farmers may obtain further information in Kenya. With this handbook, the junior scientists have not only demonstrated their excellence in the scientific community, but proved that they strive for application- and transfer-oriented results with and for smallholder farmers. We hope the practical knowledge on agro-ecological intensification of AIV cultivation will be widely disseminated and that nutrient-dense AIV crops will be included frequently in daily meals to contribute to sustainable and healthy diets in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa.