Browsing by Author "Okia, Clement A."
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Item Contribution of forest foods to dietary intake and their association with household food insecurity: a cross-sectional study in women from rural Cameroon(Public health nutrition, 2016) Fungo, Robert; Muyonga, John; Kabahenda, Margaret; Kaaya, Archileo; Okia, Clement A.; Donn, Pauline; Mathurin, Tchatat; Tchingsabe, Obadia; Tiegehungo, Julius C.; Loo, Judy; Snook, LauraObjective: To determine the contribution of forest foods to dietary intake and estimate their association with household food insecurity. Design: Cross-sectional survey conducted among 279 households. Using a 7 d recall questionnaire, information on household food consumption was collected from women and used to determine the household dietary diversity score, food variety score and forest food consumption score (FFCS). Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) score was determined and Spearman rank correlation was used to establish the relationship between consumption of forest foods and HFIAS score. Women’s dietary intake was estimated from two 24 h recalls. The contribution of forest foods to women’s nutrient intakes was calculated and women’s nutrient intakes were compared with estimated average nutrient requirements. Setting: Rural forest-dependent households in twelve villages in eastern and southern Cameroon. Subjects: Household heads and their non-pregnant, non-lactating spouses. Results: Forty-seven unique forest foods were identified; of these, seventeen were consumed by 98% of respondents over the course of one week and by 17% of women during the two 24 h recall periods. Although forest foods contributed approximately half of women’s total daily energy intake, considerably greater contributions were made to vitamin A (93 %), Na (100 %), Fe (85 %), Zn (88 %) and Ca (89 %) intakes. Despite a highly biodiverse pool of foods, most households (83 %) suffered from high food insecurity based on the HFIAS. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the HFIAS score and the FFCS (r 2=−0·169,P=0·0006), demonstrating that forest foods play an important role in ensuring food security in these forest-dependent communities.Item Distribution and regeneration status of Vitex payos (Lour.) Merr. in Kenyan drylands(Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, 2014) Kimondo, James M.; Agea, Jacob G.; Okia, Clement A.; Dino, Andrew W.; Ahmed Abohassan, Refaat A.; Mulatya, Jackson; Teklehaimanot, ZewgeWe investigated the population structure and regeneration status of Vitex payos (Lour.) Merr. in Kenyan drylands. The study quantified the spatial distribution pattern of V. payos tree populations in their natural range; and assessed their regeneration status to determine the stability of the populationsWoodlands and farm inventories were conducted in Mbeere, Mwingi and Kitui districts of the Eastern Province of Kenya. The nearest-neighbour sampling method was used to determine tree density and distribution of V. payos in the study sites. The number of seedlings and saplings were counted. The diameters, crown diameter, and tree heights of sampled trees were measured. These morphological parameters were summarized on per hectare basis. The patterns of distribution of V. payos trees showed an aggregation of trees on farms and bushes. Tree densities ranged from 1.6 on farmlands to 20.3 trees per ha in the woodlands. The expected mean distances between nearest neighbouring trees were higher than the observed values on all sites, confirming that V. payos trees were more aggregated than randomly dispersed. The mean tree heights varied from < 5 m to > 9 m cross study sites. The sampled populations were dominated by trees (55%) within the range of 10 to 20 cm dbh. Highhest numbers of seedlings from all origins were recorded in the bushes in Kitui and Mbeere districts 101 and 78 seedlings per hectare, respectively. Sapling population densities were generally low.Item Effect of Mode of Auxin Application on Rooting and Bud Break of Shea Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) Cuttings(American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2016) Okao, Moses; Ogwal, Lawrence; Mutoni, Gloria; Oyuko Alip, Samuel; Okullo, John B. L.; Okia, Clement A.Vegetative propagation by stem cutting is an important technique applied for agricultural production where rooting success is one of the major aspects. A study to assess the effects of mode of application of rooting hormones (IBA) on adventitious root formation of V. paradoxa stem cuttings was conducted. Accordingly, four application methods were investigated in a 4 × 3 factorial experiment using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The application methods were: 24-hour extended soak, foliar spraying, basal quick dip and delayed IBA application method. Thus, the parameters used to determine rooting success were mean root length and root number. The effect of these application methods on occurrence of bud break was also considered. On the whole, root length was observed to be a function of IBA concentration, whereby root length increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with an increment in IBA concentration. Stem cuttings subjected to 24-h extended soak at 100 ppm rooted best (59.5% ± 8.33%), where as foliar sprayed stem cuttings exhibited the worst rooting success (11.9 ± 3.06 - 23.8% ± 4.16%). Bud break appeared to decrease with increasing IBA concentration and delaying IBA application enhanced rooting percentage of the quick dip method by 7.1%, 9.5% and 11.9% at 2500 ppm, 3500 ppm and 4500 ppm, respectively. The extended soak method of IBA application at 80 ppm shows potential for large scale production of V. paradoxa through stem cuttings.Item Factors influencing consumption of nutrient rich forest foods in rural Cameroon(Appetite, 2016) Fungo, Robert; Snook, Laura; Muyonga, John H.; Kabahenda, Margaret; Okia, Clement A.Studies show that a number of forest foods consumed in Cameroon are highly nutritious and rich in health boosting bioactive compounds. This study assessed the knowledge and perceptions towards the nutritional and health promoting properties of forest foods among forest dependent communities. The relationship between knowledge, perceptions and socio-demographic attributes on consumption of forest foods was also determined. A total of 279 females in charge of decision making with respect to food preparation were randomly selected from 12 villages in southern and eastern Cameroon and interviewed using researcher administered questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting consumption of forest foods. Baillonella toxisperma (98%) and Irvingia gabonesis (81%) were the most known nutrient rich forest foods by the respondents. About 31% of the respondents were aware of the nutritional value and health benefits of forest foods. About 10%e61% of the respondents expressed positive attitudes to questions related with health benefits of specific forest foods. Consumption of forest foods was found to be higher among polygamous families and also positively related to length of stay in the forest area and age of respondent with consumption of forest foods. Education had an inverse relationship with use of forest foods. Knowledge and positive attitude towards the nutritional value of forest foods were also found to positively influence consumption of forest foods. Since knowledge was found to influence attitude and consumption, there is need to invest in awareness campaigns to strengthen the current knowledge levels among the study population. This should positively influence the attitudes and perceptions towards increased consumption of forest foods.Item Household Firewood Consumption and its Dynamics in Kalisizo Sub-County, Central Uganda(2010) Agea, Jacob G.; Kirangwa, Denis; Waiswa, Daniel; Okia, Clement A.This study examined household firewood consumption and its dynamics in Kalisizo sub-county of Rakai district, central Uganda. Fifty households were conveniently selected and administered with semi-structured questionnaires to determine the preferred tree/shrub species for firewood and the socio-economic dynamic of firewood consumption in the households. Direct measurements were made to quantify the daily amount of firewood consumed by the households. Questionnaire responses were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while the volume of firewood consumed per household was computed using the formula, V = (pd2l)/4. Findings indicated a very strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.919) between a household family sizes and the volume of firewood consumed per day. On average, a household with a family size of about seven persons consumed 1.56 m3 of firewood per year. The most preferred tree and shrub species for firewood were Sesbania sesban (85%), Eucalyptus (83%), Calliandra calothyrsus (73%), Ricinus communis (68%), and Ficus natalensis (63%). Most of the species were reported to have good combustion characteristics. Firewood collectors covered 8 to 12 km and spent 4 to 6 hours daily to gather firewood, and on average many households collected 4 to 6 headloads of firewood per week. Most people preferred smaller diameter (13–56 mm) pieces of firewood, as they are easy to cut and transport as headloads. All the households interviewed said they occasionally buy firewood especially during rainy seasons and most (92%) of them spend up to UGX 200,000 (US $ 100) per year on firewood. Ninety percent of households made two fires (traditional three-stone fire) per day and 80% prepared two meals per day. There is a need for continued sensitization of household members about fire management in traditional three-stone fire cooking stoves to reduce firewood consumption and waste. Studies have shown that efficiency of a three-stone fire cooking stoves can be quite high if the fire is closely tended and managed. Use of energy saving stoves should also be promoted to save the already scarce firewood. There is also a need for continued encouragement of households to establish their own woodlots in order to reduce the burden of firewood collection on women and children. Lastly, there is a need to quantify opportunity costs foregone by household members involved in firewood collection to give a better picture of the overall dynamic of firewood in rural household economies.Item Impediments, opportunities and strategies to enhance trade of wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro- Kitara Kingdom, Uganda(International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 2011) Agea, Jacob G.; Obaa, Bernard B.; Kimondo, James M.; Okia, Clement A.; Isubikalu, Prossy; Woiso, Dino A.; Obua, Joseph; Teklehaimanot, ZewgeThis study examined the impediments, opportunities and strategies to enhance trade of wild and semiwild food plants (WSWFPs) in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. Semi-structured questionnaire was administered face-to-face to sixty six (66) traders of WSWFPs in the formal markets: five (5) mobile hawkers and eleven (11) home-based/roadside traders. As a result of their small number, all traders that were found selling WSWFPs were interviewed. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics in excel spreadsheet and MINITAB statistical package. A number of challenges including high perishability, market dues, inaccurate consumers’ perceptions, seasonal shortfalls and unreliable supply, unorganized markets, little or no value addition, limited market information, and the inexistence of market promotional activities affected the trade in WSWFPs. However, the growing market demands, increasing focus of most service providers in creating awareness on WSWFPs, ever-changing perception on nutritional values of WSWFPs by the public, current government emphasis on value addition of traded agricultural products, little or no capital requirement for starting up trade in WSWFPs, and absence of restrictive regulations on sale of WSWFPs were regarded as good opportunities that could be exploited to enhance trade in WSWFPs. Key strategies for improved marketing WSWFPs included among other things, training gatherers and traders on value adding activities prior to sale, deliberate investment in promotional and awareness campaigns to expose the hidden benefits of WSWFPs, scrapping market dues levied on traders selling WSWFPs, helping gatherers and sellers to organise themselves to form viable supply and market groups, linking gatherers and sellers to good markets, as well as providing them with available market information. There is thus, a need for concerted efforts to implement some of these feasible marketing strategies to improve on the markets of WSWFPs in the kingdom.Item Nutrients and bioactive compounds content of Baillonella toxisperma, Trichoscypha abut and Pentaclethra macrophylla from Cameroon(Food Science & Nutrition, 2015) Fungo, Robert; Muyonga, John H.; Kaaya, Archileo; Okia, Clement A.; Tieguhong, Juius C.; Baidu-Forson, Jojo J.Baillonella toxisperma , Pentaclethra macrophylla and Trichoscypha abut are important foods for communities living around forests in Cameroon. Information on the nutritional value and bioactive content of these foods is required to establish their contribution to the nutrition and health of the communities. Samples of the three foods were obtained from four villages in east and three villages in south Cameroon. The foods were analyzed for proximate composition, minerals and bioactive content using standard chemical analysis methods. T. abut was found to be an excellent source of bioactive compounds; fl avonoids (306 mg/100 g), polyphenols (947 mg/100 g), proanthocyanins (61.2 mg/100 g), vitamin C (80.05 mg/100 g), and total oxalates (0.6 mg/100 g). P. macrophylla was found to be a rich source of total fat (38.71%), protein (15.82%) and total fi ber (17.10%) and some bioactive compounds; vitamin E (19.4 mg/100 g) and proanthocyanins (65.0 mg/100 g). B. toxisperma, was found to have high content of carbohydrates (89.6%), potassium (27.5 mg/100 g) and calcium (37.5 mg/100 g). Flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamins C and E are the main bioactive compounds in these forest foods. The daily consumption of some of these fruits may coffer protection against some ailments and oxidative stress. Approximately 200 g of either B. toxisperma or P. macrophylla, can supply 100% iron and zinc RDA s for children aged 1–3 years, while 300 g of the two forest foods can supply about 85% iron and zinc RDA s for non- pregnant nonlactating women. The three foods provide 100% daily vitamins C and E requirements for both adults and children. The results of this study show that Baillonella toxisperma , Pentaclethra macrophylla and Trichoscypha abut can considerably contribute towards the human nutrient requirements. These forest foods also contain substantial levels of health promoting phytochemicals notably fl avonoids, polyphenols, vitamins C and E. These foods therefore have potential to promote nutrition and health, especially among forest dependent communities who consume them in substantial amounts.Item On-Farm Management of Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn. in Amuria District, Eastern Uganda(International Journal of Forestry Research, 2012) Okiror, Paul; Agea, Jacob G.; Okia, Clement A.; Okullo, John B. L.The population of shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn.)—a priority tree with enormous economic and cultural values to the parkland communities in Uganda, is rapidly declining due to rapid human population growth, increasing land fragmentation, and high demand for woodfuel especially charcoal. Reversing this trend will depend on the rural community involvement in the planting, facilitating natural regeneration, and tending of shea trees on farm. As such a survey was conducted in Amuria district, eastern Uganda, to assess local strategies and constraints to on-farm management of shea trees, and document socio-demographic factors influencing the on-farm conservation. About 93% of the households protected naturally regenerated V. paradoxa trees mainly on farms. V. paradoxa was mostly propagated through coppices and seedlings. Although insecure land tenure, insecurity, pests, disease, and shortage of planting materials were reported as major hindrances, farmsize, family size, and gender significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced people’s willingness to conserve V. paradoxa. Byelaws and policies on shea conservation need to be properly enforced, and further propagation research is required especially towards shortening the juvenile period of V. paradoxa so that more farmers can start propagating the tree other than relying on its natural regeneration.Item Physiochemical and nutritional characterization of Vitex payos (Lour.) Merr. (Verbenaceae): An indigenous fruit tree of Eastern Africa(Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, 2012) Kimondo, James M.; Agea, Jacob G.; Okia, Clement A.; Abohassan, Refaat A. A.; Nghitoolwa Ndeunyema, Elizabeth T. N.; Woiso, Dino A.; Teklehaimanot, Zewge; Mulatya, JacksonIn the dry areas, indigenous fruits become important staples when cereals harvested are inadequate to support populations. Farmers in these areas have identified many of the handicaps in domestication but there is still need for inputs from the food industry into identification of the desirable traits and characteristics of potentially novel food. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrient content of one edible wild fruit, Vitex payos that has been identified as a top priority species among the inhabitants of drylands of Kenya for domestication. The proximate, minerals and vitamin content were determined. Results showed that the fruit did contain useful quantities of potassium, manganese, phosphorus and vitamin C. Besides, sodium, magnesium and calcium were also present in minute quantities.