African Wild Harvest project
In response to user needs, a recent project focused on Sub-Saharan famine food legumes. A manual called Dryland Legumes in Africa. Food for Thought (Huxham et al. was produced in collaboration with the International Legume Database and Information Service (ILDIS), drawing together information on 35 lesser known legumes. The manual includes data on identification (with black and white illustrations), geographical distribution, local preparation methods and micronutrient contents. Not an end product in itself, Food for Thought has been distributed to a number of relief and development organisations and human nutrition departments to seek comments on how the concept can be expanded.
Arising from this is a proposal to focus on linking nutritional and botanical data on African wild food plants and fungi, drawing together what is currently known about the nutritional content of wild food plants and fungi and highlighting research needs. We are currently seeking funding for this African Wild Harvest project.
Reference: Huxham, S.K,. Schrire, B.D., Davis, S.D. and Prendergast, H.D.V. (1998). Dryland Legumes in Africa. Food for Thought. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 85 pp.