African Indigenous Vegetables (An overview of the Cultivated Species)

by R.R. Schippers

I first encountered this book in 2004 at ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) in North Fort Myers, Florida, USA in their extensive agro-ecological campus library. Subsequently I tracked down a copy which I lent to a Spanish Journalist in Mexico and thereby lost the book for more than 12 years. Finally, about a week ago after searching continuously for more than 10 years my son-in-law located a like new copy being sold online by OXFAM in the UK.

This book treats a splendid assortment of African indigenous vegetable crops, the greater part which are almost unknown to westerners. I remember my first impression flipping through the pages of my original copy, I was determined that I would acquire all of them. Over the years, thanks to this book’s seminal treatment I have indeed tracked down a great majority of the species that Mr. Schippers treats in this book.

Mr. Schippers goes into agronomic detail on practically all the species indicated in this book, for minor species that get a passing mention, at least he brings their existence to light. For me any book that expands knowledge about the great botanical riches of the “Dark” continent is a book worth complimenting.

Mr. Schippers has an evident knowledge of many rare species and cultivars and he gives clues to the researcher about crops that are either being ignored or that have even greater potential with more horticultural attention. He mentions many obscure landraces and forms that have specific qualities like green cowpea varieties that are stringless, like African eggplants that are sweet and eaten raw like tomatoes… in other words a treasure chest of obscure leads.

I waited a very long time to relocate this book, it has been a very important part of my crop studies of African food plants. I hope you will be able to locate a copy as I now have.

I will treat the fact that a French Edition Exists, printed in Germany by Margraf Press.