African Indigenous Vegetables Institute

Director:
Dr Kenedy Simango

Overview:
The African Indigenous vegetables institute (AIVI) is cross cutting interdisciplinary academic institute at MUAST established to promote sustainable production, consumption and industrial utilisation of African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) for food and feed in Zimbabwe. The Institute work with MUAST Faculties and sister Directorates and partners on African indigenous vegetables related issues.

Indigenous vegetables include all plants that originate on the continent or have a long history of cultivation and domestication to African conditions and whose leaves, fruits or roots are used as vegetables. Traditional societies have always exploited edible wild plants referred to as African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) to provide an adequate level of nutrition. However, modern society had neglected the consumption of AIVs until recently when there has been an increase in their consumption from both rural and urban population. AIVs are regarded to be rich in nutrients (Calcium, Iron, and Vitamins A &C) and fibre.
Harvesting of AIVs has been primarily from the wild or grown at subsistence level. The need to utilize and embrace our cultural heritage and to meet the growing demand for AIVs (for health improvements) has led to the promotion of their cultivation. AIVI is at the forefront of promoting the production and consumption of AIVI in Zimbabwe as well as to influence the region as a whole.
Examples of AIVs focused on at AIVI include but not limited to spider plant (nyevhe/ulude), amaranth (mowa/imbuya), black jack (mutsine/ umhlavangubo), and cowpea (munyemba/dinawe).

Vision:
To be the leading institute on research, innovation and commercialisation of AIVs and AIVs based technologies in Zimbabwe and the region.

Functions:
1) To promote cutting-edge research in AIVs through research fellows, MSc & DPhil students.
2) To promote sustainable production of AIVs at communal and commercial scale.
3) To provide technical advice on production of AIVs to communal & commercial farmers.
4) To increase per capita consumption of AIVs through value addition & commercialization of AIVs