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Traditional and Local Knowledge Systems in the Caribbean: Jamaica as a Case Study
Published in David R. Katerere, Wendy Applequist, Oluwaseyi M. Aboyade, Chamunorwa Togo, Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge for the Modern Era, 2019
Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are useful wild or semi-domesticated varieties and non-timber forest species, and agricultural species that are not amongst the major staple crops (often called “orphan crops”) (Padulosi et al. 2013). NUS are culturally important, adapted to local environments, managed by TK systems, in general not widely traded as commodities, often nutritionally rich, but they are ignored by plant breeders, agricultural researchers, and policymakers, and often considered “poor man’s food” (Padulosi et al. 2013). NUS abound in Jamaica, with examples such as breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), June plum (Spondias dulcis Parkinson), noni (Morinda citrifolia L.), moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.), cho cho (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.), gungo peas (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), yams (Dioscorea spp.), dasheen (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), coco (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott), and many others (Padulosi et al. 2013, Sander and Vandebroek 2016). These species feature heavily in Jamaican TK and traditional diets, and offer tremendous opportunities for food security, resilience of food systems, income generation, reaffirmation of cultural identity, and empowerment of traditional lifestyles (Padulosi et al. 2013).
The Sustainability of the World's Soils
Published in Bill Pritchard, Rodomiro Ortiz, Meera Shekar, Routledge Handbook of Food and Nutrition Security, 2016
Stefan Hauser, Lindsey Norgrove
Still existing early forms of tropical agriculture used land in an extensive way by selectively removing vegetation by slashing, followed by burning, yet conserving part of the original vegetation. This ensures that after the cropping phase, fallow re-establishment is rapid. In many parts of West and Central Africa, such practices are enshrined in traditional laws affecting land use rights. For example, in southern Cameroon, mvut (Trichoscypha acuminata) and tom (Pachypodanthium staudtii) trees have to be conserved during clearing to gain exclusive control of the land (Diaw 1997). Likewise, it is forbidden to cut down Garcinia kola trees and thus they feature commonly in food crop fields (Fondoun and Tiki Manga 2000). In such fields, relatively shade-tolerant crops such as plantain (Musa spp. AAB), the cocoyams tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) are grown. In the savannah, with fewer trees, light-demanding crops such as sorghum, millet and cowpea are dominant. In the past, crops such as African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and various species of melon were more important. These systems were predominant at low human population densities and are still deemed sustainable. However, here it is important to distinguish between sustainability and productivity. The traditional systems were sustainable, meaning they were reliably producing crops sufficient to sustain farming households year after year. Systems relied upon long fallow phases during which soil chemical fertility was restored, weeds were smothered, pests and diseases were reduced or eliminated, and soil macrofaunal populations reestablished under the permanent shade (Hauser 1993). These processes stabilized soil physical and chemical properties. Soil macrofauna produce large biopores with high continuity, allowing rapid water infiltration during heavy rainstorms, thus avoiding or reducing soil erosion.
Traditional practices and childhood cryptosporidiosis in Nigeria: A review
Published in Alexandria Journal of Medicine, 2018
Adekunle B. Ayinmode, Oluwasola O. Obebe
Most Nigerians wean their infant at about three to four months of age. Although some as early as the first two months of life by giving food like cereals made from maize (Zea mays), millet (Pennisetum americanum), or guinea corn (Sorghum spp) popularly referred to as pap, akamu, ogi, or koko in Yoruba land, and akamu in Hausa. Staple foods such as mashed, thinned, or pre-chewed form of yam (Dioscorea spp.), rice (Oryza sativa), gari (fermented cassava grits), and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) are then gradually introduced. These traditional menus, that are consistently fed to infants are known to be high in carbohydrate and low protein and may not be adequate to support the development of a strong immune system without supplements. However, the effort to encourage the feeding of a balanced diet to children in some cultures in Nigeria is hampered by the myth that described feeding of protein-rich food like meat, fish and eggs as a taboo, because it is believed that children fed on such meal will later become thieves, witches or wizards.43–46