Vegetable production, consumption and its contribution to diets along the urban – rural continuum in Northern Ghana

Malnutrition continues to be a problem, with sub-Saharan Africa affected the worst. Women and children are at the pinnacle of this problem. The perpetual scourge of malnutrition in urban and periurban settings, coupled with levels of vegetable consumption below the recommended amounts, are a major problem in most African countries including West African cities. A household survey was conducted between November and December 2013 (dry season) in and around Tamale, Ghana as part of an urban food system analysis, to understand vegetable production and consumption and its contribution to household diets and income along the urban – rural continuum. Data collection was guided by a transect approach. A total of 240 households participated in the survey, with 62% males and 38% females. Additionally, 186 women of reproductive age (15 – 49 years) staying in the sampled households contributed to the computing of household dietary diversity through Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS). Most vegetables produced were for subsistence use, considering that most households sold less than 50% of the crops and consumed the rest. Vegetable production varied significantly along the urban - rural continuum, with more households in rural areas producing all the requirements of their vegetables compared to urban and periurban areas. Nevertheless, the households in the rural areas (16%) had the lowest dietary diversity (≤ 3 WDDS) compared to urban areas (13%) and periurban areas (5%). The study showed low consumption of vegetables (especially the dark green vegetables) mostly in the rural area and limited diversity of vegetables, especially vitamin A rich vegetables and tubers, with only three vegetables (carrots, red pepper and sweet potato) consumed. There was evidence of more inclination toward staple crops compared to vegetables along the urban – rural continuum for both production and consumption, clearly shown in crops grown and food groups mostly consumed (cereals and tubers rather than dark green vegetables). There was overall low consumption of dark green leafy vegetables, such as amaranth, with only 26% reported to have consumed them during the reported period compared to food groups like cereals (98%). This study confirms the dual purpose of vegetables in complementing dishes (balanced diets) with much needed micronutrients and helping households along the urban – rural continuum to generate income.Keywords: Vegetables, dietary diversity, food groups, urban – rural continuum, Northern Ghan

Awareness, perceptions and factors affecting purchase decisions of solar dried vegetables in rural Tanzania

This paper analyzes rural households awareness, perceptions and factors influencing decisions to purchase solar dried vegetables. Solar dried vegetables have higher nutritive value and hygiene than open sun dried vegetables. Findings show that about 36 percent of the rural households are aware of solar dried vegetables. Decision to purchase solar dried vegetables were influenced by female household head, income level, experience in the consumption of dried vegetables and awareness of the importance of solar dried vegetables. Thus, awareness creation and promoting solar driers to dry vegetables is suggested as an effective way to continuously access nutritious vegetables, particularly among households faced with frequent droughts. Acknowledgement : We acknowledge the financial support from the Bureau for Food Security, (USAID), under the terms of Award No. AID-BFS-IO-12-00004. The opinions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID. We thank the district authorities in the study area and all those who were involved in data collection. We also appreciate core donors to the World Vegetable Center: Republic of China (Taiwan), UK Department for International Development (DFID), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Germany, Thailand, Philippines, Korea, and Japan

Unpacking the value of traditional African vegetables for food and nutrition security

Published online: 16 Mar 2021There is a need for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa to diversify into more nutrient-rich crops to meet the subcontinent’snutritional needs in terms of micronutrients and reduce health risks related to high and rising rates of overweight/obesity.Many traditional African vegetables (TAVs) are nutrient-dense and have much potential to reduce malnutrition. These vegetablescan also provide sustainable incomes to rural, urban and peri-urban farming communities. In addition to their high economicvalues and health benefits, most TAVs are amenable to be grown under low input conditions and even organically. However,TAVs are under-researched and underutilized across the vegetable value chain. This paper provides a detailed account of thevalue of TAVs, focusing on their importance, research and development progress, and future needs. To exploit the potential ofTAVs, there is need for a more concerted research and development efforts including effective characterization of the nutritionand genetic profiles; enhancing adaptability and yield gains; and capacity development in value addition, postharvest handling,processing, marketing, and seed system development. Success in these areas depends on effective collaborations among nationaland international partners including the private seed sector, and government and non-governmental organizations working in theareas of agriculture, nutrition and health