Production and Consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties (Upper Eastern Kenya)

Abstract

Growing and Consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables make large socio-economic contributions to many African nations, and help tackle problems of hunger and malnutrition through attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals one and three; ending poverty and hunger, and gender equality. Despite the fact that indigenous vegetables have high nutrition value among other benefits, they are not widely grown in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties. The general situation is no better in the upper Eastern of Kenya, both for local consumption and commercial purposes. This could be contributed by lack of adequate information on nutritional value of AIVs among other limitations. The purpose of this study was to analyze market trends and consumption of AIVs in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties of Upper Eastern- Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to analyze market trends with different value chain; examine socio-economic factors influencing consumption of AIVs, to determine levels of knowledge in nutrition of AIVs and establish the effect of attitude towards consumption of AIVs in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties. Employing descriptive survey, questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample population of 152 households. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences to generate descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, Standard deviation and coefficient of variation. The data was then presented in tables, and graphs. The relationship of the variables was done using Generalized Poisson Model, and Factor Analysis. The findings of the study showed that the commonly grown and consumed AIVs were cowpeas followed by amaranth and African night shade. Income, household size, AIVs farm size were found to influence consumption of AIVs. Levels of knowledge in nutrition of AIVs was higher among consumers, then farmers and lastly, traders. Years of schooling, employment type, income level, household size and farm size significantly influenced Knowledge of nutrition among farmers. Gender, years of schooling, income level and household size significantly influenced the knowledge of nutrition among consumers. Farmer’s attitude towards AIVs was associated with good health benefits of AIVs, attitude and perception towards AIVS and their future benefits. The study recommends that more financial resource should go to producing, purchasing and consumption of AIVs. Therefore, a recommendation is therefore made that more financial resource should go to growing or producing AIVs, purchasing AIVs for consumption. There was need to encourage young people to be involved in farming of the AIVs as it would solve the issue of food and nutrition security in the future.