Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-r6qrq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T03:27:53.970Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The benefits of exotic food crops cultivated by small-scale growers in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 September 2017

S. Kell ,
A. Rosenfeld ,
S. Cunningham ,
S. Dobbie  and
N. Maxted
S. Kell*
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
A. Rosenfeld
Affiliation:
Garden Organic, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3LG, UK
S. Cunningham
Affiliation:
Garden Organic, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3LG, UK
S. Dobbie
Affiliation:
Institute for Complex Systems Simulation, University of Southampton Highfield Campus, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
N. Maxted
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
*
*Corresponding author: s.kell@bham.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Exotic crops—plant species grown in relatively small quantities and not traditionally cultivated in a country or region—are often intimately linked with the ethnic origins of their maintainers and are a principal source of culinary and nutritional diversity for many people. Recognizing that a wealth of exotic crop diversity and associated knowledge is held by small-scale growers in the UK, Garden Organic initiated the Sowing New Seeds project to capture and preserve some of this valuable resource by building a seed collection and knowledge base. To establish a sample of this diversity and knowledge, we undertook a survey at 31 allotment sites in the Midlands region of the UK with the objectives of identifying the exotic crops cultivated, characterizing the demography of those who grow them, understanding their direct use values, and assessing their potential indirect use value for the diversification and improvement of other crops. Results reveal that 26% of the food crops recorded are exotic and that they are grown by people belonging to 13 different ethnic groups. The majority save their own seed, indicating that these crops are performing well in the UK, with grower selection providing the basis for their continuing success. Further, most maintainers swap seed with other growers, indicating that exotic crops are likely to be gradually diversifying in response to different growing conditions—a positive sign for their value for local food security and as national genetic resources with potential for use in crop improvement programs. The research highlights the multitude of benefits that growers obtain through cultivating exotic crops, which are not only related to nutrition and culinary requirements, but also to general health and well-being, culture, and a range of other forms of life enrichment. It is critical that growers are encouraged and supported in continuing to cultivate, save and pass on their exotic crops to younger generations, as well as to protect allotments from development in order to maintain this important diversity adapted to local growing conditions. Importantly, many exotic crops currently grown on a small scale may enter into commerce, and thus expand the diversity of the UK's food crop base. Such a shift may be particularly important in the face of the increasingly detrimental impacts of climate change on crop production. We conclude that exotic crop diversity could be more important for future nutrition, health and food security than we currently appreciate.

Keywords

exotic cropscrop diversityplant genetic resourcesin situ conservationex situ conservationclimate changefood security
Type
Research Paper
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 33 , Special Issue 6: Themed Content: Critical Foodscapes , December 2018 , pp. 569 - 584
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bennett, E. 1970. Adaptation in wild and cultivated plant populations. In Frankel, O.H. and Bennett, E. (eds). Genetic Resources in Plants—Their Exploration and Conservation. International Biological Programme Handbook No. 11. Blackwell, Oxford. p. 115–129.Google Scholar
Birmingham City Council. 2006. The Future of Birmingham's Parks and Open Spaces (The Birmingham Parks and Open Spaces Strategy): Supplementary Planning Document. November 2006. https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/1061/the_future_of_birminghams_parks_and_open_spaces_supplementary_planning_document.pdf (accessed 10 August 2017).Google Scholar
Birmingham City Council. 2013. 2011 Census in Birmingham. Population and Migration Topic Report. October 2013. https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/4564/2011_census_birmingham_population_and_migration_reportpdf (accessed 28 May 2017).Google Scholar
Birmingham City Council. No date. Allotments [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/greenfingers (accessed 9 November 2016).Google Scholar
Black Environmental Network. 2005. Ethnic Communities and Green Spaces: Guidance for green space managers. http://www.ben-network.org.uk/uploaded_Files/Ben_1/Green%20Spaces.pdf (accessed 10 August 2017).Google Scholar
Brown, A.H.D. 2000. The genetic structure of crop landraces and the challenge to conserve them in situ on farms. In Brush, S.B. (ed.). Genes in the Field: On-Farm Conservation of Crop Diversity. International Development Research Centre and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Ottawa, Canada, and Rome, Italy. p. 29–48.Google Scholar
Brush, S.B. 2000. The issues of in situ conservation of crop genetic resources. In Brush, S.B. (ed.). Genes in the Field: On-Farm Conservation of Crop Diversity. International Development Research Centre and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Ottawa, Canada, and Rome, Italy. p. 3–26.Google Scholar
Campbell, M. and Campbell, I. 2011. Allotment Waiting Lists in England 2011. Transition Town West Kirby in conjunction with the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. http://www.transitiontownwestkirby.org.uk/files/ttwk_nsalg_survey_2011.pdf (accessed 7 November 2016).Google Scholar
Church, S., Gilbert, P., and Khokhar, S. 2006. Synthesis Report No 3: Ethnic Groups and Foods in Europe. European Food Information Resource Consortium (EuroFir), Norwich, UK.Google Scholar
Coventry City Council. 2017. Allotments in Coventry [Online]. Available at Web site https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/53/allotments_in_coventry (accessed 25 May 2017)Google Scholar
Crouch, D. 1997. English Allotments Survey: Report of the Joint Survey of Allotments in England. National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners and Anglia Polytechnic University, Corby and Cambridge, UK.Google Scholar
Defra. 2010. UK Food Security Assessment: Detailed Analysis. Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130402151656/http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/pdf/food-assess100105.pdf (accessed 9 November 2016).Google Scholar
Department of Health. 2010. Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our Strategy for Public Health in England. HM Government. http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136384/healthy_lives_healthy_people.pdf (accessed 9 November 2016).Google Scholar
FAO. 2008. Climate Change and Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. Technical Background Document from the Expert Consultation held on 13 to 14 February 2008. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. http://www.fao.org/uploads/media/FAO_2008a_climate_change_and_biodiversity_02.pdf (accessed 13 November 2016).Google Scholar
FAO. 2010. The Second Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. Available at Web site http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1500e/i1500e00.htm (accessed 13 November 2016).Google Scholar
Frankel, O.H. 1977. Natural variation and its conservation. In Muhammed, A., Aksel, R., and von Borstel, R.C. (eds). Genetic Diversity in Plants. Plenum Press, New York. p. 29–34.Google Scholar
Frankel, O.H., Brown, A.H.D., and Burdon, J.J. 1998. The Conservation of Plant Biodiversity. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.Google Scholar
Garden Organic. No date a. Sowing New Seeds [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/sowing-new-seeds (accessed 25 May 2017)Google Scholar
Garden Organic. No date b. Sowing New Seeds ‒ Resources [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/sns-resources (accessed 25 May 2017).Google Scholar
Harlan, J.R. 1975. Our vanishing genetic resources. Science 188:618–621.Google Scholar
Hingley, M.K., Lindgreen, A., and Beverland, M.B. 2009. Network Innovation in U.K. Ethnic Fresh Produce Supply (Research Memorandum). The University of Hull, UK.Google Scholar
Hockridge, E. 2006. Farm Local; Eat Global ‒ Growing Exotic Vegetables in the UK: A Potential Vehicle for Utilizing an Underdeveloped Market and Promoting Agriculture in the UK. Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. http://www.nuffieldinternational.org/rep_pdf/1255360825Emma_Hockridge_Nuffield_Report.pdf (accessed 7 November 2016).Google Scholar
Hope, N. and Ellis, V. 2009. Can You Dig It? Meeting Community Demand for Allotments. New Local Government Network. http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/wp-content/uploads/can-you-dig-it.pdf (accessed 7 November 2016).Google Scholar
Huxley, R. 2003. A Review of the UK Food Market. Cornwall Agricultural Council and Cornwall Taste of the West. http://www.objectiveone.com/ob1/pdfs/uk_food_market_review.pdf (accessed 7 November 2016).Google Scholar
Jones, G. 2005. Potential alternative crops for greenhouse production in Canada. Canadian Greenhouse Conference. Available at Web site http://www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com (accessed 7 November 2016)Google Scholar
Joseph, B. and Jini, D. 2013. Antidiabetic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and its medicinal potency. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease 3(2):93–102.Google Scholar
Jupe, S. 2013. Vegetable Yearbook and Buyers Guide 2013. ACT Publishing, Kent, UK.Google Scholar
Kassaian, N., Azadbakht, L., Forghani, B., and Amini, M. 2009. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research 79(1):34–39.Google Scholar
Kell, S., Rosenfeld, A., Cunningham, S., Dobbie, S., and Maxted, N. 2014. Benefits of Non-Traditional Crops Grown by Small-Scale Growers in the Midlands. Garden Organic, Coventry, UK, 38 pp. http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/sites/www.gardenorganic.org.uk/files/sns/SNSReportFinal.pdf (accessed 21 June 2017).Google Scholar
Kell, S.P., Maxted, N., Allender, C., Astley, D., Ford-Lloyd, B.V., and contributors. 2009. Vegetable Landrace Inventory of England and Wales. The University of Birmingham, UK. 117 pp. Defra Science and Research Project IF0164. Available at Web site http://randd.defra.gov.uk (accessed 11 November 2016).Google Scholar
Kovats, R.S., Valentini, R., Bouwer, L.M., Georgopoulou, E., Jacob, D., Martin, E., Rounsevell, M., and Soussana, J.-F. 2014. Europe. In Barros, V.R., Field, C.B., Dokken, D.J., Mastrandrea, M.D., Mach, K.J., Bilir, T.E., Chatterjee, M., Ebi, K.L., Estrada, Y.O., Genova, R.C., Girma, B., Kissel, E.S., Levy, A.N., MacCracken, S., Mastrandrea, P.R. and White, L.L. (eds). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part B: Regional Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York. p. 1267–1326.Google Scholar
Leicester City Council. No date. Allotments [Online]. Available at Web site https://www.leicester.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/allotments/ (accessed 25 May 2017).Google Scholar
Lindgreen, A. and Hingley, M.K. 2009. The New Cultures of Food: Marketing Opportunities from Ethnic, Religious and Cultural Diversity. Gower Publishing Ltd, Stanton by Dale, UK.Google Scholar
London Road Allotment Association. 2011. Allotment Sites in Coventry [Online]. Available at Web site http://allotmentsincoventry.lraa.co.uk/allotment_sites.htm (accessed 25 May 2017).Google Scholar
Maracchi, G., Sirotenko, O., and Bindi, M. 2005. Impacts of present and future climate variability on agriculture and forestry in the temperate regions: Europe. In Salinger, J., Sivakumar, M.V.K. and Motha, R.P. (eds). Increasing Climate Variability and Change: Reducing the Vulnerability of Agriculture and Forestry. Springer, The Netherlands. p. 117‒135.Google Scholar
Maxted, N., Kell, S., and Magos Brehm, J. 2011. Options to Promote Food Security: On-Farm Management and In Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, FAO, Rome. 27 p. http://www.fao.org/3/a-am489e.pdf (accessed 13 November 2016).Google Scholar
Mintel Group Ltd. 2002. Exotic Fruit and Vegetables. Mintel Group Ltd., London, UK.Google Scholar
Morgan, K. and Morley, A. 2002. Relocalizing the Food Chain: the Role of Creative Procurement. The Regeneration Institute, Cardiff University, Wales. http://orgprints.org/10852/1/RelocalisingProcurement.pdf (accessed 7 November 2016).Google Scholar
Morton, F.J. 1987. Kiwifruit. In Morton, F.J. (ed.). Fruits of Warm Climates. Miami, Florida. p. 293–300. Available at Web site http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/index.html (accessed 7 November 2016).Google Scholar
Negri, V., Maxted, N., and Veteläinen, M. 2009. European landrace conservation: an introduction. In Veteläinen, M., Negri, V., and Maxted, N. (eds). European Landraces: On-farm Conservation, Management and Use. Bioversity Technical Bulletin No. 15. Bioversity International, Rome, Italy. p. 2–16.Google Scholar
Office for National Statistics. 2012. 2011 Census, Key Statistics for England and Wales. Available at Web site http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-286262 (accessed 1 April 2013).Google Scholar
Perez-Vazquez, A., Anderson, S., and Rogers, A.W. 2005. Assessing benefits from allotments as a component of urban agriculture in England. In Mougeot, L.J.A. (ed.). Agropolis: the Social, Political and Environmental Dimensions of Urban Agriculture. Earthscan, IDRC, London, UK. p. 240‒263.Google Scholar
Pretty, J. 2002. Agri-Culture: Reconnecting People, Land and Nature. Earthscan, London.Google Scholar
Purdue, D.A. 2000. Backyard biodiversity: seed tribes in the west of England. Science as Culture 9(2):141‒166.Google Scholar
RHS. 2014. Horticulture Matters. The Growing Crisis in UK Horticulture that is Threatening our Economy, Environment and Food Security. Royal Horticultural Society and Partners. http://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/careers-horticulture/horticulture-matters/1016-rhs-hort-careers-brochure-v8 (accessed 9 November 2016).Google Scholar
Sanders, T.W. and Hellyer, A.G.L. 1971. Sanders’ Encyclopaedia of Gardening. 22nd ed. Collingridge, London, 526 pp.Google Scholar
The National Allotment Society. 2013. National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.nsalg.org.uk (accessed 7 November 2016).Google Scholar
Tudge, C. 1988. Food Crops for the Future. Basil Blackwell, Oxford. 225 p.Google Scholar
Van der Veken, S., Hermy, M., Vellend, M., Knapen, A., and Verheyen, K. 2008. Garden plants get a head start on climate change. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6:212–216.Google Scholar
von Rünker, K. 1908. Die systematische Einteilung und Benen-ung der Getreidesorten für praktische Zwecke. Jahrbuch der Deutschen landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft 23:137–167.Google Scholar