Growing vegetables is particularly suited for small farmers and their families because they can best meet the special cultivation requirements. Vegetables have a relatively short growing period, possess a high land productivity, are highly labor intensive, and fit well as rotation crops in traditional agricultural production systems. Farmers, however, need to be encouraged to move to new and more profitable crops. Additionally, careful management of the natural resources soil and water is a necessity or the amount of usable land will continue to decrease. The consumption of vegetables is far from being sufficient in almost all developing countries.
Hard data are scarce regarding to vegetable consumption.
Micronutrient deficiencies, however, are better documented. Production of vegetables in the tropics is particularly influenced by the seasonality of the weather conditions. During rainy season, problems arise with the prolonged duration of wetted leaf surface promoting the occurrence of bacterial and fungal diseases. Persistent cloudiness results in higher night temperatures with negative effects on the fruit set of solanaceous crops and legumes, as well as on the head forming of cabbage and lettuce. During dry season, lower night temperatures and a reduced risk for leaf diseases provide better conditions for vegetable production.