Abstract
BackgroundMany plant species worldwide cultivated for food have been neglected and are being underutilized despite their crucial contributions to food security, nutrition and income generation to rural citizens, leading to a nearly permanent diet deficiency. Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), an important food crop in the family Araceae, is one of the neglected species. This study therefore focused on identifying potential challenges mitigating taro production and utilization in taro-producing areas of Ghana and to formulate recommendations for overall increased production and utilization of the crop. The study was conducted in Ahanta West Municipal, Dormaa Municipal, Kumasi Metropolitan and East Akim Municipal in the Western, Bono, Ashanti and Eastern Regions of Ghana, respectively. These districts were ever known for taro production in Ghana. Well-structured questionnaires were used to collect information on ethnobotany of taro, possible causes of taro endangerment and remedies to combat them from farmers, traders and consumers.ResultsThe survey revealed different vernacular names for taro, and the corm was the main part used as food. The corms were usually boiled before eaten. Major recipes of taro identified were “Puree and Ampesi.” The study revealed that taro was mainly cultivated on marginal soils as well as near water bodies. Taro was largely cultivated on subsistence scale. The study also revealed that utilization as food and tool of trade has reduced drastically. Major causes of taro extinction reported included: lack of healthy planting materials, unavailability of consumable corms and disease [Taro leaf blight disease(TLBD)] of the crop.ConclusionIt was suggested that the release of cultivars which are resistant to the TLBD and publication of the nutritional benefits of the crop could revive the cultivation and utilization of the crop.
Highlights
Many plant species worldwide cultivated for food have been neglected and are being underutilized despite their crucial contributions to food security, nutrition and income generation to rural citizens, leading to a nearly permanent diet deficiency
The highest number of respondents in the regions was 29 each with Junior High School (JHS) status from the Ashanti, Bono and Eastern regions and 27 from the Western region, whereas the lowest which were of the Senior High School (SHS) status was 1 from the Ashanti and Bono regions, 6
The study revealed that aged males who are mostly illiterates show much interest in the cultivation of taro
Summary
Many plant species worldwide cultivated for food have been neglected and are being underutilized despite their crucial contributions to food security, nutrition and income generation to rural citizens, leading to a nearly permanent diet deficiency. The study was conducted in Ahanta West Municipal, Dormaa Municipal, Kumasi Metropolitan and East Akim Municipal in the Western, Bono, Ashanti and Eastern Regions of Ghana, respectively These districts were ever known for taro production in Ghana. Many plant species worldwide cultivated for food have been neglected and underutilized despite their crucial contributions to food security, nutrition and income generation to rural citizens (Akpavi et al 2012; Barbieri et al 2014) This has led to a nearly permanent diet deficiency. Taro is cultivated mainly for home consumption in most continents including Asia, Africa, Papua New Guinea and PI (Ecoport 2010; Safo-Kantaka 2004) It has greatest significance in the Pacific, where it has special cultural, dietary and economic importance. The crop contributes to food security and has rich economic and sociocultural connotations in Africa (Darkwa and Darkwa 2013; Mwenye 2009; Onyeka 2014)
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