Agrotechnology

Determination of agro-biodiversity practices and neutraceutical value of indigenous vegetables among women small holder farmers in Vihiga District, Kenya

7^th Global Summit on Agriculture & Horticulture

October 17-19, 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kimiywe Judith, Akundabweni Levi and Namutebi Agnes

Kenyatta University, Kenya
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Makerere University, Uganda

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

Participatory case building research was used in assessing the potential benefits of neutraceuticals agro-biodiversity of commonly grown indigenous vegetables and the soils in West Kenya. Key informant interviews conducted on purposively selected women smallholder farmers (n=30) were used to establish the status of indigenous plant foods and land use practices in each target site. A nine decision point concept was used to map out the land use allocations in relation to the Women Smallholder Farming Patterns and Practices at the study Sites. X-ray Fluorescent Spectroscopic analysis was used to determine the mineral profile and content of plant germplasm and soils collected from the farmers. The minerals were consistently measured in an increasing concentration order with potassium as highest, followed by calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and strontium as lowest concentrated mineral in plant germplasm and soils. Micronutrient of germplasm was based on the variation picking test â?? XRF technique developed. Findings from these analyses identified the promising leafy vegetables as Curcubitacea and Cleome gynandra, Amaranth, Crotalaria, Solanum, Vigna unguiculata and Corchorus in the higher and middle nutrametric grades respectively. Range suggesting that there are variations in the micronutrients content of the vegetables hence existing agro-biodiversity. The spatial location of plants in relation to the housing unit can serve as collections of agrobiodiversity conservation since farm activities revolve around the smallholder farm units. This is an efficacious starting point for the value chain evaluation of plant- based micronutrient density development to empower farmers to retain and restore the agrobiodiversity on the farm units.

Biography :

Email: jokimiywe@gmail.com