ABSTRACT African leafy vegetables are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and foliate among others. They are also a complementing source of other vitamins such as thiamine, niacin and riboflavin, plus some dietary minerals including calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese. Decline in crop yields is mainly caused by loss of soil fertility. Phosphorus (P) is one of the critical elements that limit vegetable production. The situation is aggravated in smallholder agriculture where...
Abstract: For most Ethiopian rural households, food insecurity has been the most critical concern. Small-scale irrigation is among the first measures in increasing vegetable production, diversifying household assets and income, and improving household food security. This study measured the impact of small-scale irrigation use on household vegetable production and food security using outcome indicators of household food consumption score, household dietary diversity score and yield of onion. ...
Abstract: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the important vegetables grown in Kenya. It is the second leading vegetable in terms of production and nutritional value after the potato. Tomatoes are mainly grown by small scale farmers in most arable areas with the main production areas being in Kiambu County. Production of tomatoes in Kenya has been mainly under open field conditions until recently where modified high tunnels (‘greenhouse’) were introduced. Tomato production in greenh...
ABSTRACT Solanum nigrum L., Cleome gynandra L. and Amaranthus spp. are some of the indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) that contribute to food diet, income generation, good nutrition and health to resource-poor farmers in Kisii and Trans-Mara counties. The production of ILVs is constrained by inadequate land, diseases and pests of which, root-knot nematodes (RKN) are the most damaging pests to vegetable crops causing about 30 % yield losses globally. However, there is no information about the ...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine high-value market opportunities for smallholder vegetable farmers in Arusha Region. To do so, the study provides a micro-level survey. The survey was conducted on smallholder vegetable farmers and high-value markets in Arusha Region. The specific objectives were identifying the characteristics of smallholder vegetable farmers in Arusha Region; determining factors that influence smallholder vegetable farmers participation in high-value market opp...
ABSTRACT The study examined the nutrients and phytochemicals composition of some lesser - known vegetables in Nigeria (Mucuna pruriens and Phyllantus nuriri) and their effects on iron and beta carotene status of rats. Leaf extract was collected from each vegetable. The leaves were separately plucked, sorted and extraneous materials were removed. Then they were washed with deionized water and were pulverized to get the concentrates. Standard methods were used to determine the proximate, some m...
ABSTRACT Cholera, one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, remains rampant and frequent in Tanzaniaand thus thwartexisting control measures. The current study wasundertaken to evaluate the occurrence of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae in low quality water, fish and vegetables during the non-outbreak period in Morogoro, Tanzania. From October 2014 to February 2015, 60 wastewater samples, 60 fish samples from sewage stabilization ponds and 60 vegetable samples were collected. Samples were ...
ABSTRACT Green pepper (Capsicum annuum) is one of the most important and remunerative vegetable crops. Row spacing and mulching are important factors that influence water use, weed suppression, growth, quality, and yield of vegetables. Due to increased pressure on land, climate change and increased demand for vegetables, there is need for deployment of optimal agronomical practices that will ensure enough food production. This study was undertaken to determine the optimum spacing and mulching...
Abstract: The study set out to assess determinants of information seeking behavior of vegetable farmers and to identify the source of information for vegetable farmers in Haramaya Woreda, East Harargh zone of Oromia Regional State. The study employed multi-stage sampling procedures to select four Kebele administrations and 150 sample respondents. Primary data for this study were collected using interview schedule. Simple descriptive statistical analyses and an econometric model (Ordered Logi...
Abstract/Overview Indigenous vegetables form a key component of farming systems in most communities in Africa including Kenya. Its increased awareness and utilization has been attributed to its reported superior nutritional quality, medicinal value and ecological adaptability to existing weather conditions. Utilization of these vegetables among low, middle and high income earners in Kenya has improved tremendously and this calls for high quality vegetables to maintain confidence. Improved...
Abstract/Overview Increasingly, food security interventions in developing economies are adapting value chain approaches to facilitate the integration of smallholders into high margin value chains. In Kenya, the resurgence of African Indigenous Vegetables due to their medicinal value and rich micronutrients is a case in point. The vegetables are cultivated by smallholders, and the supply has not matched the demand in the high margin markets among urban consumers. Access to such high margin...
ABSTRACT The prevalence of climatic events, such as drought and floods in northern Ghana has contributed significantly to food shortages in the area. This prompted the need for appropriate alternatives to enhance food production and improve rural livelihoods. The PAVE Irrigation Technology (PIT) is rainwater harvesting technology being promoted by Conservation Alliance (CA), International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Northern Ghan...
Abstract Vegetable Amaranth (A. cruentus) is a promising C4 crop for semi- arid regions due to its nutritive value, medicinal property and ornamental for beautifying gardens . It is widely grown in the tropics and is one of the most important leafy vegetables in the lowlands of Africa, South America and Asia. Little knowledge is known on its Nitrogen requirement, that is why this experiment was conducted to fill in that gap. A field study was conducted in Nyanga which is a high rainfall area ...
ABSTRACT Underutilized indigenous vegetables from Morogoro and Kilimanjaro regions were investigated. Out of these, four underutilized vegetables (UVs); Sunga (Launea cornuta), Kikundembala (Vigna vexillata), Mokiki (Momordica foetida) and Inyiri (Basella alba) were identified, collected and studied. The overall objective was to identify and analyze safety and nutritional excellence of the identified UVs used as food and claimed to be remedy to the sick. Primary data was collected using a che...
ABSTRACT The study has intended to investigate the application of mobile phones in information dissemination regarding pests control and diseases management for vegetable crops with a consideration of tomatoes productions in Kilolo district. The study aimed at bridging the gap that exists between farmers and agricultural officers. The study involved two wards, and was mainly qualitative supported by quantitative research paradigms to collect and analyse data from tomato farmers, ICT expertise...