Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Leaves of pawpaw ( Carica papaya )
Young pawpaw leaves are mixed with other leaves for the preparation of stews.
It is used mainly during the rainy season, when fresh growth occurs.
Wild mint ( Ocimum basilicum )
The fresh leaves of wild mint are mixed with other leafy vegetables for the prepar-
ation of stews.
Wawa leaves ( Triplochiton scleroxylon )
The leaves of the wawa tree are mixed with cocoyam leaves for the preparation
of stews or soups. They are harvested from the wild or sometimes from around
the homestead.
Okra ( Ablemoschus esculentus )
Okra is usually grown for its slimy pods. It is grown in annual cropping systems,
home gardens, or in the homestead. In the homestead, usually the semi-perennial
types are found. The leaves are sometimes harvested for the preparation of soups.
Saving seeds from one planting season to the next maintains the crop. In the case
of some perennial varieties, seeds that dehisce from pods may regenerate into new
plants. Some of the tall, semi-perennial varieties are coppiced to extend the
harvest duration.
Cowpea leaves ( Vigna unguiculata )
The cowpea is a highly nutritious vegetable, but is better known by communities
in northern Ghana. Although cowpea was recorded in all the three demonstration
sites, nowhere was it mentioned as a leafy vegetable. The crop is mainly grown
for its beans.
Baobab ( Adansonia digitata )
The baobab tree is known locally as kuka . The tree is grown in the farmstead or
on the farms, and the leaves are harvested for the preparation of stews and soups.
Management of vegetable crop diversity
Sources of planting materials of vegetables
Farmers depend heavily on their own seed sources as well as seeds from the local
markets. While 77 per cent of the farmers raise their vegetables from seeds saved
from their crops, 89.7 per cent purchase some of their seeds from the local market.
Seeds are also frequently obtained from neighbours (67 per cent). Other systems
such as exchanging germplasm or even working in exchange for new seed are used.
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