Nigerian women reap benefits from indigenous vegetables

Despite their potential, research has failed to prioritize indigenous vegetable species for improving food security, nutrition and income. The project worked with 1,200 farmers (50% women) who have formed 22 vegetable cooperative groups. Radio programs on popular FM stations in south-western Nigeria created awareness on production, utilization, and nutritional and health benefits of underutilized vegetables, reaching over 3 million listeners. There has been rapid expansion of the project sites, with more farmers joining the training. Given the successes recorded in the field in south-western Nigeria, the introduction of this system is adaptable to other areas of Africa