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methods of growth like poly-cropping and intercropping (Heywood 41). These dimension of
diversity operate together to maintain the variation within the crops (Saaka, Osman, and
Hoeschle-Zeledon). Traditional agricultural landscapes account for about 20% of the food
produced globally. The landscapes have polycultures and agroforestry which contrast with the
modern application of agricultural systems that respond to the uniqueness of the location (Scherr
and McNeely 480). The species that are grown in traditional methods tend to be local and
underutilized. They provide the balance that nutrition requires complementing staple foods that
are produced to give macro-nutrients and vitamins.
The indigenous fruit trees growing in the wild have the potential of solving health and
nutrition problems globally. The indigenous fruit trees have untapped potential because of the
little attention given to their economic value and the value of nutrition in them. According to the
World Health Organization and the Convention on Biological Diversity, biodiversity, and human
health are mutually dependent (Langford). Biodiversity contributes to the prevention of ill-health
and diseases as the health of human beings are inseparable from that of ecosystems. Indigenous
trees supply fruits that have high nutrient content. The trees have a high potential in ensuring that
human beings have better diets.
Despite the benefits, Agricultural intensification is responsible for the overexploitation of
some resources with the loss of habitat through the clearing of land for agricultural practices.
Some plant species have been lost through intensive agriculture along with the erosion of the
soil. The changes are responsible for the negative impact on the diversity of diets, nutrition, and
health for some of the groups in various societies (Naeem, Chazdon, and Duffy). The changes
have necessitated the exploitation of new approaches such as eco-nutrition which aims at
