Agroecological sustainability of traditional green leafy vegetable value chains in central Uganda: A supply-side perspective

Diversifying food systems with traditional green leafy vegetables can enhance food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the sustainability of these value chains, especially in informal markets, remains underexplored. This study assessed sustainability using agroecological principles within a value chain analysis framework. Data from 287 producers and 36 traders in Uganda showed that vegetable chains only partially align with the principles of agroecology, with the environmental component showing the lowest alignment. Both traditional and non-traditional vegetables are produced in ways that only partially align with agroecological principles and practices, often relying on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Sustainably promoting traditional vegetables will require greater efforts to integrate agroecological practices, ensuring their production and distribution lead to more sustainable outcomes.