Abstract
Background Wild vegetables serve an important purpose in the health and diet of many people residing in the rural areas. Various traditional practices associated with their processing and consumption are uncommon and unknown to the present generation, resulting to their underutilization. Methods Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and participant observation. Using a checklist and questionnaire, a total of 120 individuals from 120 randomly selected households in Kilimanjaro and Morogoro regions were interviewed. Results. Underutilised indigenous vegetables from Morogoro and Kilimanjaro regions were investigated. Out of 40 vegetables, four underutilised vegetables (UVs), Sunga (Launea cornuta), Kikundembala (Vigna vexillata), Mokiki (Momordica foetida), and Inyiri (Basella alba), were identified, collected, and studied. Over 75% of respondents preferred UVs to exotic species, the likes of cabbage, amaranth, eggplant, pumpkin leaves, and spinach. It was further noted that with the existing myths and fads associated with consumption of UVs, as well as the widespread use of the exotic vegetable species among the modern generation, UVs' future demand is diminishing. Conclusion There are many varieties of UVs in Morogoro and Kilimanjaro regions. However, the UVs are currently showing decreasing demand due to various reasons including difficulties in preparation, low palatability, and negative image to consumers; introduction of exotic species of vegetables was found to further suppress the use of UVs.
Highlights
Wild vegetables serve an important purpose in the health and diet of many people residing in the rural areas
Wild vegetables play significant roles in the livelihood of many communities in developing countries as food and for medicinal purposes [7]. They contribute to human welfare significantly as they have huge quantities of vitamins and minerals like folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin C and potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc, respectively [8, 9]
These regions were purposely selected as an Eastern and Northern zonal representation of Tanzanian regions participating in agriculture
Summary
Wild vegetables serve an important purpose in the health and diet of many people residing in the rural areas. Often referred to as famine or hunger foods, wild plants have been acknowledged to be prospective in meeting household food and income security [5] These wild ranges of leafy vegetables, roots, tubers, fruits, and stems are harvested by rural communities because of their taste, cultural uses, as food supplements, or to tide over food shortage [6]. Wild vegetables play significant roles in the livelihood of many communities in developing countries as food and for medicinal purposes [7] They contribute to human welfare significantly as they have huge quantities of vitamins and minerals like folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin C and potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc, respectively [8, 9]. They have numerous health potentials; for instance, amaranth vegetables are consumed and they are useful in protection against respiratory disorders, defective vision, recurrent colds, retarded growth, and functional sterility
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