Consumption Pattern of Dried Traditional African Vegetables among Rural Households in Tanzania

Wilbon Cheruiyot Yegon,Justus Ochieng,Oscar Ayuya Ingasia

doi:10.4236/me.2021.125054

Abstract

Vegetables are known to be nutritious and form part of almost every meal in an African set up. However, they are known to be perishable and seasonal thus scarce during dry period. Drying helps extend their shelf life. The main objective of the study was to determine consumption pattern of dried traditional vegetables (TAVs) in semi-arid rural households. Dried TAVs by open sun drying and solar drying were considered. Cross-section data collected in 2016 among 244 respondents in Dodoma and Singida region through random sampling using semi-structured questionnaire was utilized. Ordered bivariate probit was estimated using STATA software. The results showed that access to information on drying, gender, presence of adults above 64 years, adults between 15 - 64 years, children between 5 - 14 and 0 - 4 years was significant. The information is useful in planning trainings and in determining the consumer segment to target. Strategies that would enhance information access are highly recommended.

Highlights

Malnutrition is a major problem in developing countries (Holmer et al, 2013)
Though open sun dried is of low quality as compared to solar dried traditional vegetables (TAVs), consumption of both types is important in combating food nutrition insecurity
Product marketable characteristics and access to information are important in consumption of dried traditional African vegetables and highly influence the consumption frequency

Summary

Introduction

Vegetable consumption plays a vital role in curbing malnutrition. World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends consumption of at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Awareness of WHO recommendation influenced consumption of fruits and vegetables among college students (Alsunni & Badar, 2015). It is important in reducing the risk of chronic diseases among older. Fruit and vegetable consumption has an association with emotional behavior. Studies have shown an inverse relationship between vegetable consumption and depression. In other words its consumption is likely to lower the levels of depression (Liu et al, 2016). Older people with low vegetable intake showed high level of depression (Payne et al, 2012)

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