Socio-economic values of <i>Gnetum africanum</i> in Imo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Household and market surveys State aimed at determining the nutritional and economic role of Gnetum africanum to the people were conducted in Imo, Nigeria. The surveys were done monthly with household  representatives (mainly women) randomly sampled from each of the three rural and three urban communities selected from the three agricultural zone of the state for a period of one year. A survey of one rural and one urban market selected form each of the communities involved in the study were also undertaken in the month of June 2007. Household survey results showed that 61.89% of the rural and 53.23% of the urban households was consuming the vegetable regularly (twice weekly) throughout the year. Results also showed that majority of those who consumed the vegetable (71.63 and 87.19% of the rural and urban households, respectively) obtained their supplies through purchases. The average cost of the vegetables per household per week and per year were 94.13 and 4,894 Nigerian Naira for rural households and N102.99 and N 5,355.48 for urban households. The price estimates given by those categories of households who planted their own vegetables showed that they were saving N128.08 and N6,660 in the rural and N66.70 and N 3,488.48 in the urban communities per week and per year. Also, the market surveys showed that an average of nine and 13 persons representing in each case 8.21% of all vegetable sellers were involved in marketing of G. africanum in the rural
and urban markets respectively. The result also showed that G. africanum is the most costl vegetable in the markets, with the prices per kilogram of about N280 being higher than that of its closest rival Pterocarpus soyauxi in the urban areas. Domestication and commercialization of the vegetables is therefore recommended.

Keywords: Gnetum africaum, marketing, endangered specie, wild plant, Nigeria