Traditional green leafy vegetables are widely valued for their contribution to dietary diversity, local food culture and smallholder livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa. In central Uganda, however, their value chains do not automatically translate into more sustainable production. A survey of 287 producers and 36 traders across the Lake Victoria Crescent agroecological zone found only partial alignment with agroecological principles, with the environmental dimension showing the weakest performance.

The study followed the value chains of amaranth, scarlet plant, spider plant, cowpea leaves and kale, examining production, distribution and marketing practices. More than 84 percent of surveyed farmers grew only traditional vegetables, and short, informal value chains dominated, with produce typically moving from farms to retailers and consumers within local and peri-urban markets. These systems support local livelihoods and rely heavily on women in trading, but production often combines manure with inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Traditional-only vegetable farmers showed somewhat stronger environmental alignment than mixed-vegetable producers, yet the average overall agroecological alignment remained low.

The findings underline an important distinction: traditional crops can support biodiversity, nutrition and local economies, but their sustainability also depends on how they are produced and marketed. Greater access to extension services, agroecological pest and nutrient management, appropriate irrigation, safer land access and improved processing could strengthen these value chains while preserving their contribution to local diets and food systems.