Her laboratory tests show the vegetables are nutritionally as good, if not better, than the “exotic” greens such as spinach and cabbage, which were introduced to Africa from abroad and have become widely accepted as staples.
Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango hopes the plants
A spiderplant in bloom. The plant is selling in Nairobi supermarkets and restaurants after years of being spurned by the well-fed as food only for the poor
Her current research programme at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, outside Nairobi, focuses on promoting the production and marketing of African indigenous vegetables, particularly by rural women farmers, as a means of reducing poverty and improving rates of nutrition.
She is one of a growing team of innovative scientists given fellowships by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), a programme aimed at boosting the female talent pool supporting Africa’s women farmers.
Reference:
IRIN 07/08 KENYA: No longer a weed
Her current research programme at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, outside Nairobi, focuses on promoting the production and marketing of African indigenous vegetables, particularly by rural women farmers, as a means of reducing poverty and improving rates of nutrition.
She is one of a growing team of innovative scientists given fellowships by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), a programme aimed at boosting the female talent pool supporting Africa’s women farmers.
Reference:
IRIN 07/08 KENYA: No longer a weed
PODCAST Listen here to an interview with Mary Abukutsa-Onyango (mp3) (5 min 30'')