Use of some Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species among Rural Dwellers in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State

Abstract

The study investigated the use of neglected and underutilized plant species in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, with the specific objectives of assessing the demographic characteristics of rural dwellers, benefits of neglected and underutilized plant species, examining rural dwellers' knowledge and uses of neglected and underutilized plants, assessing rural dwellers' sources of information on utilization neglected and underutilized plant species. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect information with the aid of structured questionnaire from 120 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and multiple regression analysis. Respondents were mostly male, married, with little or no formal education. Most preferred sources of information are radio and extension agents. Respondents have a high (70.0%) knowledge of use of these plants. The chi-square analysis indicated that there was a significant (X 2 = 17.272, p =0.002) relationship between rural dwellers' level of education and use of neglected and underutilized plant species at 0.05 level of significance. However, age (χ χ χ χ 2 = 5.208, P = 0.391), sex (χ χ χ χ 2 = 1.734, P = 0.42) and Marital status (χ χ χ χ 2 = 1.522, P = 0.467) were not significantly related to the use of neglected and underutilized plant species by rural dwellers. The multiple regression analysis showed that there is a strong correlation between the benefits, knowledge, exposure to information and use of neglected and underutilized plant species. It was recommended that Sensitization programmes on utilization of neglected and underutilized plant species should use preferred sources like radio and extension agents in local languages.

Food Security in the Face of Climate Change: Potential Roles of Underutilised Plant Species around Some Rural Homesteads in the Niger Delta

“…The pulp of the bush mango is consumed fresh, while the seeds (Ogbono) are used as thickener in preparing the Ogbono soup, a popular delicacy in the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general. In southwest Nigeria, almost three-quarter of the population consume bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) as fresh fruits or as soup condiments [22]. Scent leaves are used as vegetables for making soup and as spices for preparing pepper soup, while corn seeds are roasted or boiled and eaten as snack, or the raw seeds are used in making "akamu" (pap).…”

“…Bitter kola is also taken on account of poverty or during periods of food shortages. For instance, in a rural location in Southwest Nigeria, 36.7% of the people confessed to have consumed bitter kola (Garcinia kola) as food during hard times [22].…”

“…Despite spirited intervention by the Nigerian government and other interested entities, the nutritional insecurity of Nigerians does not seem to abate [21]. In general, it has been reported that, over the years, homestead gardens have supported the rural households with provision of additional income, as source of food and augmenting family finances [22]. The plants species found around the homesteads provide nutrients that help to combat "hidden hunger", i.e., nutrient deficiencies among the rural poor in many developing countries [22], especially during times food scarcities.…”

“…In general, it has been reported that, over the years, homestead gardens have supported the rural households with provision of additional income, as source of food and augmenting family finances [22]. The plants species found around the homesteads provide nutrients that help to combat "hidden hunger", i.e., nutrient deficiencies among the rural poor in many developing countries [22], especially during times food scarcities. In the Niger Delta, the area adjoining homesteads are utilised as home garden where selected perennial plant species are left to grow, and annual crops are also grown for food.…”

Identification, characterization and quantification of chemical compounds in selected edible wild leafy vegetables

“…Migration to urban centres has a great impact on the choice of vegetables used as food because underutilized vegetables are not readily available in our urban markets (Odukoya et al, 2007). These vegetables are often considered underutilized in terms of the scanty research attention with limited scientific information on them, their underexploited economic potential and lack of technologies for improved farming practices (Osewa et al, 2013).…”