The role of women in the conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables in Suneka division, Kisii district

Abstract

This study examines the role played by women in the conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables in Suneka division in Kisii District. The study focuses mainly on the socio-cultural factors which influence women's conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables; the extent to which the production of exotic vegetables affect women's conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables and lastly the extent to which lack of nutrition education affects women's conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables. A total of 150 respondents were sampled and interviewed. The methods used in obtaining data for this study are documentary sources, interviews, focus group discussion and key informants. Modernization and socialization theories guided the study. The data was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches and the information has been presented using percentages. frequencies and tables. The hypotheses that were formulated are: socio-cultural factors influence women's conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables; production of exotic vegetables affect women's conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables and lastly lack of nutrition education partly affect women's conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables. The findings reveal that women play an important role in the conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables and that the socio-cultural factors influence their conservation of these vegetables. Other findings are that the production of exotic vegetables has an adverse effect on women's conservation of indigenous vegetables and lastly lack of nutrition education discourages women's conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables. Given these findings, the study recommends that development planners include women's agricultural activities, especially conservation of indigenous leafy vegetables, in the agricultural policies. There is also a need to intensify nutrition education in relation to indigenous leafy vegetables so as to increase their production and utilization.