Study on the use of indigenous plants parts for food preservation among farmers in Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State
Date
2023-07
Authors
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Publisher
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Abstract
This research work focused on “Study on the use of indigenous plants’ parts for food preservation among farmers in Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State”. The study employed a cross sectional descriptive survey design. The sample size comprised three hundred and six (396) farmers selected through multi-stage sampling technique. The researcher’s structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection, data generated were analyzed using frequency, mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics of ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance at appropriate degree of freedom. Analysis of data was done with the SPSS version 23. The result revealed that majority were knowledgeable of the alternate preservation of food with indigenous plants, 65.1% positively perceived the use of indigenous plants for food preservation while 93.2% used indigenous plants for food preservation. Results
also revealed that more than half of the respondents were knowledgeable that chilli pepper can be used to preserve dried form of rice (57.1%), beans (78.8%), maize (71.5%) and melon (57.3%) for more than 6 months duration. More than half of the respondents (66.3%) attested to bitter leaf efficacy in preserving some food items like fresh form of cassava for duration of 8 days to 1 month. The study also revealed that there was significant difference in utilization of the indigenous plants among sexes, different age groups, levels of education, years of farming experience, type of farming practiced and level of income. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that these indigenous plants parts should be processed to obtain forms and products that will substitute the chemical preservatives in the market because most consumers would show higher preference for products preserved with natural products. Neglecting this can lead to a negative setback for the farmers and local people which could result in decreasing interest on the use of these natural food preservatives. Future research should focus on the promotion of indigenous plants so that they can know their importance in addressing food and nutrition security.
Description
It has tables and figures
Keywords
Study, indigenous plant parts, food preservation, farmers, Ivo LGA, Department of Public Health
Citation
Adiruo, A. S. ( 2023). Study on the use of indigenous plants parts for food preservation among farmers in Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State (Unpublished Master Thesis), Federal University of Technology, Owerri