Characterization and Documentation of Factors Contributing to Production and Consumption of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) in Kiambu and Kirinyaga Counties in Kenya
Journal Title: Asian Research Journal of Agriculture - Year 2016, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate popular ALVs in two counties; i.e. Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties in Kenya. Focus group discussion (FGD) and a field survey were employed. The study was carried out in the two counties in Central Kenya between January and February; 2015. Purposive sampling method was used where 67 respondents (37 and 30) Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties respectively; were interviewed. One FGD was carried out in each county. The findings indicated that; about seven ALVs were cultivated and consumed in the two counties. Vegetable amaranth and nightshade were the most dominant indigenous vegetables in both counties (83.8% and 81.1%) in Kiambu and (93.3% and 83.3%) in Kirinyaga respectively. These were followed by, spider plants, pumpkin leaves, cow peas leaves and jute mallow at 54.1%, 35.1% 32.4% and 21.6% respectively in Kiambu and 30%, 56.7%, 30% and 6.7% in Kirinyaga respectively. Furthermore, large number of farmers (59% and 66.7%) in Kiambu and Kirinyaga respectively grew ALVs for nutrition or health benefit in both counties. The finding also revealed that over 50% of the respondents in both counties cultivated ALVs both for domestic and commercial purposes. Conclusion: Two ALVs species (Amaranthus and Solanum spp) were most popular in the studied region. However a large diversity of cultivated and consumed ALVs seems to exist in Central Kenya. Production and utilization of the vegetables for nutrition and health benefit was major incentive to continual cultivation of ALVs.
Authors and Affiliations
Munene Rozy, Changamu Evans, Korir Nicholas, P. Gweyi-Onyango Joseph
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351972
- DOI 10.9734/ARJA/2016/28734
- Views 81
- Downloads 0
An Epidemiological Status of Prevailing Diseases in Livestock Population of District Quetta, Pakistan
Background: Livestock population is affected by various infectious and non-infectious diseases which can lead to huge economic losses to the farmers in terms of reduced growth, production performance and mortality. Aims:...
Characterization and Documentation of Factors Contributing to Production and Consumption of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) in Kiambu and Kirinyaga Counties in Kenya
The aim of the study was to evaluate popular ALVs in two counties; i.e. Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties in Kenya. Focus group discussion (FGD) and a field survey were employed. The study was carried out in the two countie...
Modelling of the Thermophysical Properties of Ground Dika Kernel (Irvingia wombolu Vermoesen) as Affected by Temperature and Moisture Content
The specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the ground dika (Irvingia wombolu Vermoesen) kernel were measured using the thermal probe method. Bulk density was determined using the graduated cylinder and the va...
The Problem of Prickling on Fabrics of South American Camelids Fibers: Possible Approaches for Mechanical Solutions
In this minireview it is to analyze the physical attributes that determine the comfort of fabrics made of South American Camelid fibers (Lama and Alpaca), discuss the effect on their textile value and evaluate an possibl...
Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Red Sokoto Goats Fed Urea Treated Maize Stover Supplemented with Graded Levels of Balanites aegyptiaca Leaf Forage
Sixteen Red Sokoto male goats weighing on average 9.36±0.67 Kg were used for the experiment in a completely randomised design (CRD) for a duration of 12 weeks to determine the total feed intake, weight gain and apparent...