Abstract
BackgroundFarming communities have continuous interactions with their environment. Subsistence farmers are particularly vulnerable to the vagaries of weather. These are pre-requisites for increased wild edible plant consumption. This study mainly focused on indigenous knowledge regarding identity and use of wild edible plant species by the subsistence farmers of Obalanga.MethodsA multistage sampling technique was used to identify Agonga parish. Systematic random sampling was used to locate 64 respondents stratified among children, adult females and males. After obtaining informed consent and assent, data was collected through semi-structured interviews using a checklist of open ended questions, focus group discussions and guided field visits. The free listing technique was employed to obtain data on plant identity and usage.ResultsFifty one (51) species in forty three (43) genera spread in thirty two (32) families were identified. Age and gender had significant effects on respondents’ wild edible plant species knowledge. The majority of edible wild plant species were herbs (47.1%) while grasses (3.9%) were the least. Fruits (51.0%) were the major parts consumed while tubers and roots constituted only 2.0% each. Eating uncooked as snacks (43.1%) was the favoured mode of consumption compared to roasting (2.0%). Preservation was mainly by solar drying. Wild edible plants traded within and without Obalanga community constituted only 15.7%. Almost all the edible plant species (94.1%) do not have any specific bye-laws for their conservation. Only Mangifera indica, Tamarindus indica and Vittaleria paradoxa representing 5.9% of the species are protected by bye-laws.ConclusionDisproportionate distribution of edible wild plant indigenous knowledge was noted in Obalanga with the lowest among the children. The marketed plant species in Obalanga can offer an opportunity for household livelihood diversification through value addition and trade under the umbrella of organic products. This will increase household incomes thereby contributing towards MDG 1 on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. It is thus vital to document indigenous knowledge so that it is not lost as plant species disappear due to environmental degradation.
Highlights
Wild edible plants have formed part of human diet since time immemorial with nearly 75,000 species of plants believed to be edible [1,2,3,4]
The diversity of species affirms that edible wild plants consumption among the subsistence farmers in Obalanga is still active and is important in their daily plant food intake
Disproportionate distribution of edible wild plant indigenous knowledge was noted within the farming community of Obalanga
Summary
Wild edible plants have formed part of human diet since time immemorial with nearly 75,000 species of plants believed to be edible [1,2,3,4]. It is commonly reported that consumption of these plants is vital at times of food shortage because they enhance livelihoods, survival strategies and support household economies [12,13,14,15]. Their importance is exemplified by free and easy accessibility and nutritional richness especially vitamins and micronutrients [12,16,17,18]. Subsistence farmers are vulnerable to the vagaries of weather These are pre-requisites for increased wild edible plant consumption.
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