Trends and constraints of utilization of preserved cowpea leaves among households in arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya: a convergent mixed method study

J O Owade,A W Mwang’Ombe,G O Abong’,M W Okoth

doi:10.1186/s43170-021-00064-5

Abstract

BackgroundAs much as local communities have employed traditional techniques of preservation to enhance availability and utilization of cowpea leaves, the efficiency of these techniques in achieving food security need to be established. The current study sought to document trends and constraints of utilization of preserved cowpea leaves in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in order to overcome of seasonal availability of the vegetable.MethodA mixed method convergent design that included household survey of randomly sampled cowpea producing households and focus group discussion and key informant interviews with stakeholders in the ASAL areas of Kitui and Taita Taveta Counties of Kenya was conducted.ResultsThe study found that the utilization of preserved forms of cowpea leaves in the in-season was by 58% of the respondents. Three quarters (73.6%) of the households could not get the vegetables from their own sources during scarcity, whereas 25% did not consume the vegetables at all at such times. The preserved forms of the vegetables was utilized among 24.0% of the households, with significantly (p < 0.05) higher utilization in less arid areas. Households that were involved in commercialization of cowpea leaves and sale of the preserved forms in the open air market had significantly higher likelihood (p < 0.001, OR = 2.47 and p < 0.001, OR = 2.3, respectively) of utilization of the vegetables during scarcity. Emerging themes from the qualitative survey showed that weaknesses in the policy environment, stakeholder interest, marketing and accessibility to proper equipment were the deterrents of traditional preservation of the vegetable.ConclusionIn conclusion, the preserved forms of cowpea leaves promoted availability of the vegetable especially in the dry seasons. In as much as there is limited practising of preservation of the vegetables, its availability is enhanced through dehydration and other value-addition techniques among a significant number of the households.

Highlights

As much as local communities have employed traditional techniques of preservation to enhance availability and utilization of cowpea leaves, the efficiency of these techniques in achieving food security need to be established
A comparison of the two counties found that the eastern ASALs (6.8 ± 3.1 persons) had significantly (p < 0.001) larger households sizes than the coastal ASALs (3.4 ± 2.2 persons), results which are in agreement with the 2019 national census data (KNBS 2019)
The low dependence of marketing avenues for sourcing of these vegetables point out a prevalent problem that has been identified as a constraint in the promotion of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) as food security crops in these malnutrition hotspots (Krause et al 2019); limited commercialization and low profitability in the value chains that hinder adoption of the crops

Summary

Introduction

As much as local communities have employed traditional techniques of preservation to enhance availability and utilization of cowpea leaves, the efficiency of these techniques in achieving food security need to be established. Owade et al CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (2021) 2:44 mainly in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), including in eastern and coastal counties (Njonjo et al 2019; Owade et al 2020a); for instance Taita Taveta and Kitui counties accounted for a total of 43.16% of the national production quantities of cowpea leaves of 3941 MT (Horticultural Crops Directorate 2016). These areas are characterized with adverse weather conditions limiting crop cultivation and production either for commercial or subsistence (County Government of Kitui 2018; County Government of Taita Taveta 2018). The rural areas in country including the two ASAL counties have been reported to have higher rates of vitamin A deficiency (KNBS et al 2014)

Methods

Results

Conclusion