Cultural practices and post-harvest handling of selected neglected food crops in south-east and South-south Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess cultural practices and post-harvest handling of some selected neglected food crops (bambara nut, bread fruits and bush-mango) in South-east and South-south Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to; identify the cultural practices of selected neglected crops; identify the postharvest handling procedure of the selected neglected crops; identify uses of other parts of the neglected crops apart from the food storage organs and investigates the medicinal value of selected neglected crops. A purposive and snow-ball sampling procedure was used to sample 120 farmers of selected neglected crops in South-east and South-south Nigeria (Akwa-Ibom, Ebonyi and Rivers). A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents and presented using percentage and mean. The result showed that the cultural and agronomic practices for the neglected crops included; nursery (66.7%), intercropping (79.2%), fertilizer application (66.7%) and weeding (100%). The farmers use the neglected crops as soup, chips, flour, and food by boiling or roasting. Processing activities done before storage include fermentation, breaking of the pod, sun drying and cleaning of the crops without water. The method of storage showed that 25% used nylon, 65% used bags and 10% used air tight container. The farmers made use of; leaves of neglected food crops for animal feeds formulation, fermented fruits for organic manure, and stems and branches for timber woods for building and construction. Also, farmers used some of the neglected tree crops for treating fever, stomach upset and diabetes. Also, it is used to boost blood level, antibiotics, pile treatment and prevention of heart failure. The study recommended that Research institutes, ADPs and other related NGOs should work in collaboration to train the farmers on modern methods of post-harvest handlings of crops in the study area. Also, policy maker should formulate policy that will encourage the production of neglected food crops in large quantity.