Plant Resources of Tropical Africa

Beyond sukuma wiki in Kenya: Rift Valley project

The demand for indigenous leafy vegetables in Kenya is increasing rapidly, both at urban and rural markets. Nearly all the main chain supermarkets are currently stocking these greens, alongside the commonly consumed vegetables such as leaf cabbage, known in Kenya as ‘sukuma wiki’. While the cabbages are produced in large quantities, the supply of indigenous leafy vegetables is inadequate, especially during the dry season.

With financial assistance from PROTA, six Farmer Field Schools in Kenya’s Rift valley started an indigenous vegetable project in February 2006.

More than 150 small-scale farmers have been trained on production, utilization and marketing of several African leafy vegetables such as Solanum scabrum, Cleome gynandra, Vigna unguiculata and Amaranthus cruentus.

‘The vegetables were an instant sale at the market in Bomet town,’ said one of the participating farmers. ‘We were able to finish our stock, before the sukuma wiki and other cabbages were bought.’