THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL LEAFY VEGETABLES IN THE FOOD SECURITY OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

2009 ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.J. Vorster ◽  
W.S.J. van Rensburg ◽  
J.B. Stevens ◽  
G.J. Steyn
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Leafy Vegetables

scholarly journals Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Inclusion of Indigenous Plants for Food Security among Rural Households in the North West Province of South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9562
Author(s):  
Abiodun Olusola Omotayo ◽  
Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food System ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Indigenous Plants ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province

Underutilised indigenous plants can support and strengthen the existing food system, as they are considered as socio-economically and environmentally appropriate. These plants generally adapt to marginal conditions, which is essential for a resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems. The current study relied on food security and indigenous plants data collected from some selected rural households from the North West Province of South Africa. The utilised data were collected through a multi-stage sampling technique with the aid of a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, while descriptive methods Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. The models produced a good fit for the data, and the computed F-value was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The study examined socio-economic and food security status based on the knowledge and the perception of indigenous plants by the households. The incidence of food insecurity (θ0) was 0.4060, indicating that 40.6% of the participants were food insecure while 59.4% were food secured. Binary logistic regression results indicate that factors such as age, gender, educational attainment, inclusion of indigenous plants in diet, food expenditure, and access in the study area impacted results. It was also evident that the participants had considerable knowledge of indigenous plants. However, these indigenous plants were not cultivated or included in the diet by the majority of the participants. The formulation of appropriate holistic policies that support the incorporation of the indigenous plants into the food system is recommended.

AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF THE RURAL HOUSEHOLDS OF UKRAINE: ROLE, CONDITION AND PROSPECTS

2019 ◽  
pp. 32-43
Author(s):  
Volodymyr LAGODIIENKO ◽  
Nataliya LAGODIIENKO
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Dynamics Analysis ◽  
Social Infrastructure ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Livestock Products

Abstract Introduction. The lack of consensus among experts on the structure of producers in the agricultural sector necessitates an analysis of the role of rural households in the production. The purpose of the article is to verify the hypothesis of the rural households’ indispensability as agricultural producers. Results. The production structure of crop and livestock in the households in the dynamics is analyzed. Trends in the reduction of milk share were determined produced by households’ farms used for processing by the enterprises. On the basis of the dynamics analysis of the individual crops share in production, a critical dependence of their cultivation in rural households was determined: potatoes, vegetables, fruit and berry crops. The key role of rural households in securing domestic demand and food security is identified due to the economic disadvantage of exports, which is caused by high transaction costs. The dynamics analysis of land area and the heads average age of rural households allows us to determine the absence of «young» labor resources, which, combined with the aging of existing ones, is at risk of providing adequate staff in the future. The dynamics of the rural households’ share keeping animals and their number have been analyzed, which revealed a negative trend in the reduction of both the share and the livestock population. An extensive type of livestock in rural households has been identified, which causes low productivity. The level of agricultural production intensification in the rural household sector has been analyzed according to a number of indicators. For some of them (in terms of fertilizer application, use of locally grown varieties, breeding poultry, artificial insemination of animals and sanitary quality control of milk) the obtained values are extremely unsatisfactory. Conclusions. Meat and dairy farming are currently facing a difficult situation: the reduction in milk production in households is, in absolute terms, greater than the similar increase among farmers, which makes this product deficit. In the domestic deficit market, bans of meat and the primary agricultural products sale will lead to a reduction in supply, price increases and a deterioration in the status of these producers, given the need for such a constraint due to a lack of quality parameters. The solution to this problem lies in the extension of the state program of livestock development directly in rural households. The ways of solving the problem of unsatisfactory logistical support for the production and stocking of livestock products by small organizational forms are offered: agro leasing and organization of cooperative slaughter shops. It is advisable to support rural development in the form of educational activities based on integrated territorial communities. Keywords: rural households, agricultural activity, factors of production, food security, livestock products, extensive type, low quality, social infrastructure, small equipment, cooperative movement.

scholarly journals The Importance of Traditional Leafy Vegetables in South Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
pp. 01-13
Author(s):  
Voster Ineke H.J ◽  
◽  
Jansen van Rensburg Willem ◽  
Van Zijl J.J.B ◽  
Venter Sonja L.
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Drying Methods ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
Improvement Program

The use of traditional leafy vegetables in communities has been noted in several studies. These studies highlighted concerns about the loss of knowledge. The aim of this work was to enhance the role of African leafy vegetables in the nutrition of vulnerable groups in South Africa through improved preparation, promotion of consumption, processing, landrace improvement program, and management of their genetic diversity. Researchers needed to establish the extent of the use, conservation status and awareness of these plants, to ensure effective research decisions. The results from these studies are reported on here. Localities that differed in ethnicity and climate were targeted. The data collection phase used a questionnaire survey, rapid and participatory methodologies to collect information from the women. Traditional leafy vegetables were found to be a very important source of food in summer, but especially in winter. Several drying methods are used to ensure the availability of these vegetables during the winter. Pumpkins and cowpeas were the only crops grown, with some of the others occasionally broadcast. The most popular crops for consumption with all the age groups were amaranth and pumpkins, with jute mallow (Chorcorus sp.) and spider plant (Cleome gynandra) popular in the northern areas in South Africa. Where cowpeas were available, they were seen as the most valuable dried leaf product, as they were used as a safety crop due to their long shelf life. Ethnicity and gender had an effect on the use and preferences of the different crops, with men preferring the more bitter taste and women and children preferring the milder taste. Different ethnic groups showed differences in terms of bitterness of the taste and composition of the leaf mixes. In many areas seed systems were poor as the traditional role of keeper of the seed had been lost. Constant downgrading of traditional vegetables and associated knowledge by research and extension had led to the labels of ‘backward knowledge’ and ‘poverty foods’. This led to a shift in food use and willingness of the youth to learn about and eat these crops. Awareness creation contributed to a change in the perceptions amongst the youth and adults, leading to increased demand for information and seed. It was determined that traditional leafy vegetables played an important role in food security in rural South Africa, but the status of the crops, as well as their conservation, need to be addressed to ensure sustainable use.

scholarly journals Home gardens in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A promising approach to enhance household food security and well-being

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pelisa Ngcaba ◽  
Alfred Maroyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Home Gardens ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Household Food

Abstract. Ngcaba P, Maroyi A. 2021. Home gardens in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A promising approach to enhance household food security and well-being. Biodiversitas 22: 4045-4053. The current study is aimed at documenting the diversity and composition of food plants cultivated and maintained in home gardens; and also assessing their role at enhancing household food security and well-being in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. This study was undertaken in six villages in the province, between June 2014 and March 2016. Information on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the respondents, home garden practices, food plants grown and maintained in home gardens were collected by means of questionnaires and guided field walks with 129 respondents. A total of 32 edible plants belonging to 27 genera and 18 families were recorded. The main uses of plants grown and managed in home gardens were edible fruits or seeds (56.3%), leaves cooked as leafy vegetables (28.1%), edible bulbs, roots and tubers (21.9%), beverage, cereal, and culinary herb or spice (3.1% each). The most preferred species were Zea mays (64.3%), followed by Brassica oleracea (59.7%), Solanum tuberosum (58.9%), Spinacia oleracea (52.7%), Allium cepa (51.9%), Cucurbita moschata (44.2%), Capsicum annuum (38.0%), Cucurbita maxima (31.8%) and Daucas carota (31.0%). This study showed that home gardens can provide alternative sources of diverse and nutritious food to households, making home gardens an important agricultural resource for increasing food security in the province.

The Role of Informal Local Institutions in Food Security of Rural Households in Southwest Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chimdessa Uma Negera ◽  
Adugna Eneyew Bekele ◽  
Beneberu Assefa Wondimagegnehu
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Informal Institutions ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Local Institutions ◽  
Women's Associations ◽  
Sub Saharan

Among sub-Saharan countries, Ethiopia is known for its dominant informal institutions and chronic problem of food insecurity. However, the role of local institutions in households' food security in Ethiopia is less understood. Thus, the aim of the study was to identify local informal institutions and their roles in household food security. Mixed methods research was used to collect and analyse data relating to membership in local institutions and their food consumption. A logit model was employed to identify the role of local institutions in households' food security. The result showed that 45.1 per cent of households were food insecure. Rural households' membership in Iddir, Equib, Debo and Jarsumma strongly helped them escape food insecurity. On the one hand, participation in women's associations and Jiga did not significantly contribute to their food security. On the other hand, Dado was found to reduce their food security. We conclude that the programmes and policies that target food security should provide support to those informal institutions that successfully contributed to hunger reduction.

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