Verifying the Premium Value of Selected African Indigenous Vegetables in Target Sites of the Lake Victoria Basin

Abstract: 
The purpose of this research was to verify the premium value in terms of nutritional and economic potential of selected African indigenous vegetable plants (AIVPs) along the Lake Victoria basin. Partial findings of this study being reported are on the smallholder farmer indigenous knowledge of vegetable production and utilisation in Jinja (Uganda) and Vihiga (Kenya). A survey was conducted to establish the status and level of utilisation of indigenous vegetable plants. whereby total of 163 households in each site were interviewed. Vegetables selected by smallholder farmers for production trials and nutrient quality analysis were Cleome gyandra (Saga, Eiyobyo/Ejobyo), Amaranthus lividus (Booga, Doodo), Solanum scarbrum (nakati) as indigenous vegetables. Solanum melongena (egg plant), Daucus carota (carrot), Capsicum spp. (pepper) were selected as the exotic vegetables. Laboratory analysis of these vegetables for phyto-nutrient characterisation is ongoing. The survey revealed that most farmers (90%) engaged indigenous vegetable farming for both food consumption and income generation. Most farmers regarded exotic vegetable farming as an income generation venture rather than home consumption. Most farmers were knowledgeable of the health and medicinalbenefits of the indigenous vegetables.
Le but de cette recherche était de vérifier la valeur additive en termes de potentiel nutritionnel et économique de certaines plantes de légumes indigènes africains (AIVPs) le long du bassin du lac Victoria. Les résultats partiels de cette étude sont signalés sur la connaissance indigène de petits agriculteurs concernant la production végétale et de son utilisation à Jinja (Ouganda) et à Vihiga (Kenya). Une enquête a été menée pour établir le statut et le niveau d’utilisation des plantes de légumes indigènes,enquête par laquelle un total de 163 ménages dans chaque site ont été interviewés. Les légumes choisis par les petits exploitants pour les essais de production et l’analyse de la qualité des nutriments étaient Cleome gyandra (Saga, Eiyobyo / Ejobyo), Amaranthuslividus (Booga, Doodo), Solanumscarbrum (nakati) comme légumes indigènes. Solanummelongena (aubergine), Daucuscarota (carotte) et Capsicum spp. (poivre) ont été choisis comme légumes exotiques. L’analyse de laboratoire de ces légumes pour la caractérisation des phyto- nutriments est en cours. L’enquête a révélé que la plupart d’agriculteurs (90%) ont pratiqué la culture de légumes indigènes pour la consommation alimentaire et la génération de revenus. La plupart d’agriculteurs ont considéré la culture des légumes exotiques comme une entreprise de génération de revenus plutôt que la consommation domestique. La plupart d’agriculteurs ont été informés des avantages sanitaires et médicinaux des légumes indigènes.
Language: 
English
Extended abstracts submitted under Integrated Crop Management
Date of publication: 
2012
Country: 
Region Focus: 
East Africa
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories: 
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
Notes: 

The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants.This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Integrated Crop Management