South Africans not eating enough fruits, vegetables

Despite the availability of nutritious and indigenous plants in South Africa, the population’s intake of fresh fruits and vegetables falls below the daily requirements of the World Health Organisation. This analysis was amongst topics discussed at the Water Research Commission (WRC) symposium held last month.

The WHO recommends about 400 grams per capita intake of fruits and vegetables to fight communicable diseases. The issue however is that most South Africans are not aware that local plants are high in nutrients and antioxidants, and can alleviate malnutrition. According to researchers, people tend to look down on certain crops and associate these with poverty.

Leafy vegetables such as cowpea, nightshade, pumpkin, tsamma melon, and Amaranth not only provide more than 50% RDA of vitamin A, but are easy to grow since they are drought tolerant.

Meanwhile local species, such as the kei apple (Dovyalis caffra) and Horned melons (Cucumis metuliferus) are not consumed as much. But the kei apple has found its way to the United States, whilst the horned melons are produced in France, New Zealand and Israel.

Dr Gerhard Backeberg, executive manager for Water Utilisation in Agriculture said,“We need to strengthen people’s abilities to cultivate food for themselves, as opposed to merely depending on government support systems, such as social grants. In this way communities are empowered to help themselves become food secure and maintain healthy balanced diets.”

Researchers pointed out that the absence of a formal seed supply system for indigenous crops is a setback. As a result, farmers had been keeping seed for many years from one planting season to the other.

To find out more, contact Dr Gerhard Backeberg,  executive manager for Water Utilisation in Agriculture at gehardb@wrc.org.za