STATUS OF INDIGENOUS VEGETABLE UTILIZATION IN KENYA

Several abiotic and biotic stresses do limit crop production in Kenya.
These range from drought to salinity and from pests to diseases.
Exploitation of indigenous leafy vegetables adapted to the local environment will not only overcome these stresses but also improve food security, nutrition and health of the rural poor.
Enough genetic variation still exists in indigenous vegetables and therefore should be exploited in a breeding program to improve important agronomic traits.
Research should also aim to characterize the vegetables using molecular marker techniques, optimize production inputs, improve taste and develop efficient marketing system.

XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Horticultural Science in Emerging Economies, Issues and Constraints

J.A. Okeno, D.K. Chebet, P.W. Mathenge

Indigenous vegetables, food security, agronomy, genetic improvement, constraints

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.621.10