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Mainstreaming Underutilized Indigenous and Traditional Crops into Food Systems: A South African Perspective

Author

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  • Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Tendai Polite Chibarabada

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State P.O Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Vimbayi Grace Petrova Chimonyo

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences Department, Michigan State University, 1066 Bogue St A286, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Vongai Gillian Murugani

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Laura Maureen Pereira

    (School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Centre for Food Policy, City University of London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK)

  • Nafiisa Sobratee

    (School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Laurencia Govender

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Rob Slotow

    (School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, University College, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Albert Thembinkosi Modi

    (Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

Abstract

Business as usual or transformative change? While the global agro-industrial food system is credited with increasing food production, availability and accessibility, it is also credited with giving birth to ‘new’ challenges such as malnutrition, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. We reviewed the potential of underutilized indigenous and traditional crops to bring about a transformative change to South Africa’s food system. South Africa has a dichotomous food system, characterized by a distinct, dominant agro-industrial, and, alternative, informal food system. This dichotomous food system has inadvertently undermined the development of smallholder producers. While the dominant agro-industrial food system has led to improvements in food supply, it has also resulted in significant trade-offs with agro-biodiversity, dietary diversity, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic stability, especially amongst the rural poor. This challenges South Africa’s ability to deliver on sustainable and healthy food systems under environmental change. The review proposes a transdisciplinary approach to mainstreaming underutilized indigenous and traditional crops into the food system, which offers real opportunities for developing a sustainable and healthy food system, while, at the same time, achieving societal goals such as employment creation, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. This process can be initiated by researchers translating existing evidence for informing policy-makers. Similarly, policy-makers need to acknowledge the divergence in the existing policies, and bring about policy convergence in pursuit of a food system which includes smallholder famers, and where underutilized indigenous and traditional crops are mainstreamed into the South African food system.

Suggested Citation

  • Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Tendai Polite Chibarabada & Vimbayi Grace Petrova Chimonyo & Vongai Gillian Murugani & Laura Maureen Pereira & Nafiisa Sobratee & Laurencia Govender & Rob Slotow & Albert The, 2018. "Mainstreaming Underutilized Indigenous and Traditional Crops into Food Systems: A South African Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:172-:d:194102
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sobratee, N. & Davids, R. & Chinzila, C. B. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe & Scheelbeek, P. & Modi, A. T. & Dangour, A. D. & Slotow, R., 2022. "Visioning a food system for an equitable transition towards sustainable diets—a South African perspective," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-14(6):328.
    2. Laura M. Pereira & Scott Drimie & Kristi Maciejewski & Patrick Bon Tonissen & Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs, 2020. "Food System Transformation: Integrating a Political–Economy and Social–Ecological Approach to Regime Shifts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Racheal Akinola & Laura Maureen Pereira & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Francia-Marié de Bruin & Loubie Rusch, 2020. "A Review of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa and the Implications for more Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-30, April.
    4. Nafiisa Sobratee & Rashieda Davids & Chuma B. Chinzila & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Pauline Scheelbeek & Albert T. Modi & Alan D. Dangour & Rob Slotow, 2022. "Visioning a Food System for an Equitable Transition towards Sustainable Diets—A South African Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.

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