Consumption intensity and production constraints of indigenous vegetables: a step in African food and nutrition security
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Margraf Publishers GmbH, Weikersheim Kanalstrasse 21, 97990Weikersheim
Abstract
Food and nutrition insecurity has been a major challenge in Africa. Farmers need to diversify
food production in order to alleviate food and nutrition insecurity. With climate change at hand,
indigenous vegetables can provide prospects to diversify production systems and improve food,
nutrition and income security in many countries. Regardless of their potential, the extent of
consumption and diversity of indigenous vegetables in lessening food, nutrition and economic
insecurity are not fully exploited in Tanzania. Estimation of consumption intensity of these
vegetables is important to understand how their utilisation can be enhanced at the household
level.
The study evaluated consumption intensity and production constraints of indigenous vegetables.
The study was carried out on 600 farm households from four villages in Dodoma and
Morogoro, Tanzania. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select districts, villages
and households. Districts were selected purposively based on their different agro-ecological
characteristics and data was collected using a structured questionnaire.
The mean consumption of indigenous vegetables was high in 74% of households, but the quantities
were below 80% the recommended daily intake (RDI) in 72–96% of households. The
mean intakes of vegetables were significantly (p < 0.001) different among the two agro ecological
zones. Age of household head, household size and distance to a water source influenced
consumption intensity of indigenous vegetables. Identified production constraints were lack of
knowledge on the vegetables for example; production practices, cooking methods, utilisation
and preservation methods; lack of seeds, low yields and competition with some exotic.
The diets of rural community were somehow deficient in terms of different vegetables and
amount consumed thus contributing to high prevalence of undernutrition and micronutrient
malnutrition. Therefore, strategies that could promote consumption intensity of indigenous
vegetables such as health and nutrition education and involving young and male decision makers,
extension services and production of these vegetables in home gardens should be employed.
Description
Tropentag 2018
International Research on Food Security, Natural
Resource Management and Rural Development
Book of Abstracts
Keywords
Food and nutrition security, Indigenous vegetables, Undernutrition