The little-known benefits and roles of underutilized crops in South Africa’s food system

A wide variety of underutilized crops is cultivated and consumed in South Africa.
These species and their related wild relatives are mostly grown and harvested by poor farmers for home consumption and local income generation.
They are important sources of calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin A and C, and essential amino acids for people who are nutritionally vulnerable, in particular children and pregnant women.
These crops are largely neglected by extension, policy, and research, while no special attention has been given to their conservation, maintenance, improvement, and promotion.
This article aims to bring some of these crops found in South Africa into the light through a description of the multiple uses and benefits.
Areas of further research are also identified.

EHC2024: International Symposium on Genetic Resources in Horticulture: Screening, Propagation, Use, and Conservation

A. Gerrano, R. Vernooy

food security, indigenous leafy vegetables, medicinal value, nutritional value

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1439.50