Abstract

This paper explores the underappreciated potential of perennial vegetables as crucial contributors to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and enhanced nutrition. While annual crops dominate agricultural landscapes, perennial vegetables offer unique ecological advantages. We examine their role in fostering biodiversity by providing sustained habitats and ecosystem services. Moreover, perennial vegetables demonstrate remarkable capabilities for carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change mitigation. Simultaneously, their nutritional attributes make them valuable for promoting healthier diets. This paper synthesizes existing research and proposes strategies for integrating perennial vegetables into agricultural systems, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift towards sustainable and resilient food production. Embracing perennial vegetables can unlock a trove of benefits, making them pivotal in sustainable agriculture and holistic approaches to food security