Hortifresh Nov__December 2012.indd - Hortfresh Journal

enefits in particular extractsfrom bitter gourd fruits, anindigenous fruit vegetablehave been found to bebeneficial to diabetics as theycontain insulin and Africannightshade and slenderleafhave been implicated intreatment of stomachrelated ailments like duodenalulcers. Besides AIVs are welladapted to local climaticconditions, seed productionis possible in the tropics,they have a short growthperiod and flourish undersustainable cropping systemsand are stress tolerant.Despite the advantages,optimal production andsustainable utilization hasnot been realized due to thefollowing constraints: negativemindset and attitudes bystakeholders; inadequateknowledge sharing;inadequate quality seed andtechnical information forfarmers and consumers; andpoor marketing channels.However, several strategieshave been employed in theprogramme to repositionAfrican indigenous vegetableslocally, continentally andglobally and these include:• Identification AIVs on theAfrican continent withnutrition, health benefitand economic potential• Advocacy and Promotionat the local, nationaland global level• Involvement ofstakeholders from themedia, farmers, students,policy makers, otherresearchers from KARIand Universities, NGOsand private sector andProf Abukutsa’s AIVs seed bulking at JKUAT farmusing participatory, valuechain approach in theresearch programme.• Development ofdiversified disseminationmaterials fordifferent levels• Development ofseed supply system(community andresearch level)• Capacity building atall levels (farmers,students, researchers,policy makers)Research Programme whichwas initiated in 1991 at JKUATand is ongoing today hasover 300 contact farmers inWestern and Central Kenya,several under graduate andpostgraduate students. Someof the tangible outputs andoutcomes include: availabilityof reference materials(papers, theses and technicalreports, books and bookchapters), quality seed,dissemination leaflets, goodcrop for farmers, availabilityof the vegetables in supermarkets, recipes and products,increased, production,popularity and consumptionleading to improved healthand income generation. Thiswork has received nationalcontinental and internationalrecognition and accoladesby the African Union, CTA,RUFORUM and KenyanPresidential award in 2009and 2010 to mention but afew. Local and internationalmedia also has greatlypublicized and promoted theProf. Abukutsa with student at Maseno University6For leads in HorticultureNovember- December 2012