The Potential Role Of Underutilized Vegetables In Improving Food And Nutrition Security In Tanzania

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 checklist, questionnaire and chemical analyses. A total of 120 individuals from 120 households in Kilimanjaro and Morogoro regions were interviewed. Over 75% preferred UVs to exotic species. It was further noted that with the widespread use of the exotic vegetable species among the modern generation, the UV’s future demand was diminishing. The nutritional and medicinal claims of the selected UV’s were also mentioned during interviews and chemical analyses data strongly supported the claims. Chemical analyses revealed vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C contents ranged from 2.50 to 6.67, 18.94 to 182.95, 0.18 to 0.76, 0.09 to 0.43 and 46.52 to 198.08 mg/100g, respectively. Also, Ca, Fe, Mg and Zn contents ranged from 60.28 to 421.03, 4.28 to 21.05, 191.12 to 1151.91 and 4.28 to 21.10 mg/100, respectively. Moisture content, oxalates and phytates contents ranged from 78.59 to 95.49%, 1.28 to 3.15 and 1.64 to 6.18 mg/100g, respectively. The values were evidence that the UVs are rich sources of micronutrients. The findings from the study added credence to the selected UVs that they are crucial in daily human diet to curb hidden hunger. This calls for their domestication as a way of increasing their availability and a measure to improve food and nutrition security in Tanzania.