Abstract
Indigenous vegetables are important sources of both macro and micronutrients which are important for a healthy body. In addition, they also play a role in food security because most are fast maturing therefore being a valuable source of vitamins all the year round and are mostly used as an accompaniment with a staple cereals-based diet such as ugali. Therefore, they encourage the consumption and cultivation of indigenous leafy vegetables. This study sought to carry out an assessment of indigenous vegetables produced, utilization and factors influencing their production and consumption among residents of Kabuoch location, Homa bay County. A household survey was carried out to collect primary data. Five administrative sub-locations were randomly sampled for the study. Twenty households were purposively sampled from each sub-location to make a sample size of 120 households. Questionnaires were used in data collection. The questionnaire contained both open ended and closed ended questions. Questionnaires were administered to 120 households to collect data on production, knowledge on utilization of indigenous vegetables and factors influencing their cultivation. Data collected was subjected to both descriptive and inferential analysis. Only 10 indigenous vegetables were found to be cultivated. Black night shade (Solanum nigrum) and Cowpea leaves (Vigna unguiculata) being greatly preferred by most households. However, most households regarded indigenous vegetables as food meant expectant and lactating mothers. Attitude and wrong perceptions were found to be primary factors influencing production and consumption of indigenous vegetables in Kabuoch location, Homa bay County. There is need to create awareness on the value of indigenous vegetables, intensification of conservation and introduction of more indigenous vegetables to the community in order to enhance food security.
Highlights
Vegetables can be categorized as either exotic or indigenous types
3.1 Indigenous Vegetables Produced in Kabuoch location, Homa bay County
Results of the current study revealed that individuals of various households had different knowledge on utilization of indigenous vegetables
Summary
Vegetables can be categorized as either exotic or indigenous types. Exotic vegetables in Kenya are those that have recently been introduced and they include cabbages, carrots and spinach. Indigenous vegetables can either be those that were originally in an area [1] or introduced and have been used over a long period of time until they have formed part of the culture and tradition of a community [16]. Indigenous vegetables such as nightshade (Solanum species), spider plant (Cleome species), amaranth (Amaranthus species), cowpea (Vigna species), sweet potato leaves (lpomeas species), pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita species), jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) and cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta) among others [14]. Though majority of the indigenous vegetables are utilized globally, their collective value to human beings is greatly
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