Contribution of neglected and underutilized crops to household food security and health among rural dwellers in Oyo State, Nigeria.

摘要

This paper examines the contribution of neglected and underutilized crops (NUS) to household food security and health among rural dwellers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the socio-economic characteristics of rural dwellers, uses and contribution of neglected and underutilized crops to household food security and health were determined. The local government of Akinyele was selected because many households were food insecure as reported in literature and high concentration of these crops exists in the area. Five villages and 100 rural dwellers therein were randomly selected. Data were collected from the respondents through a structured questionnaire and they were subjected to analysis using frequency counts, percentages and multiple regression analysis. The majority of rural dwellers were males, above 40 years of age, married, and depend on family labour, Christians, and with no formal education. The most available neglected and underutilized crops were mushrooms, Ocimum gratissimum, and bush mango [Irvingia gabonensis]. Food consumption and medicinal uses were the most prominent purposes for which these crops were used. Many respondents indicated that mushroom, bush mango, Spondias mombin and Solanum americanum were used as food, while Momordica charantia, O. gratissimum and Aframomum melegueta were the most prominent for medicinal uses. All these crops receive little research attention, poor commercialization and marketing, and lack effective policy frameworks for harnessing their potentials in Nigeria. A significant relationship existed between NUS contribution to household food security and health, and NUS as sources of food nutrients, income generation, marital status and age. With the realization of the importance and uses of the neglected and underutilized crops, the potentials for agricultural and rural development can be unlocked.