Hidden Harvests: The Role of Forest, Wild, and Exotic Fruits in Agricultural Landscapes of East and Southern Africa

Abstract

Forest, wild, and exotic fruits are integral yet often overlooked components of agricultural landscapes in East and Southern Africa. These “hidden harvests” contribute to food and nutrition security, livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience, but remain marginal in dominant food system narratives and policy frameworks. This study aims to systematically synthesise existing evidence on the roles of forest, wild, and exotic fruits within agricultural landscapes of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Rwanda, with a focus on their nutritional, economic, environmental, and social contributions. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, drawing on peer-reviewed and selected grey literature published since 2000. Relevant studies were identified through major academic databases and screened using predefined eligibility criteria. The results indicate that fruits significantly enhance dietary diversity and micronutrient intake, provide seasonal food buffers during lean periods, and support income diversification, particularly for women and marginalised groups. Environmentally, fruit trees contribute to ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation through agroforestry and landscape-based systems. However, their potential is constrained by governance challenges, tenure insecurity, weak value chains, and policy fragmentation. The study concludes that recognising forest, wild, and exotic fruits as integral components of multifunctional agricultural landscapes is essential for advancing resilient, nutrition-sensitive, and sustainable food systems in the region.