The marginalization of indigenous vegetables at household level in Figtree.

Abstract

Household nutrition security and the individual nutritional status respond to trends in food consumption in Zimbabwe. The objective of this study was to investigate the status of indigenous vegetables at household level in the Figtree community. A mixed method approach using household survey and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data in 57 households. Study findings suggest that households marginalize indigenous vegetables because of various individual perceptions, poor knowledge systems, and “exotic” food consumption patterns. More than 50% households were experiencing chronic to severe food insecurity while approximately 23% were food secure. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) concluded that some indigenous vegetables are “liked” significantly more than others are, F (5, 190) = 9.597, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.202 although bush okra and spider flower were equally liked. In terms of indigenous vegetable consumption patterns, post hoc tests pairwise comparisons using the Bonferroni correction showed statistically significant ratings among all spider flower comparisons (p < 0.05) except bush okra (p > 0.05). The post-colonial theory adopted in the study explained that the change on eating patterns as well as individual choices on preferring certain types of foods has led to the marginalization of indigenous vegetables. These results imply that there is a marginalization of indigenous vegetables in diets of people living in Figtree at household level.