| Popis: |
This study was conducted in Bugesera, Kirehe and Nyamagabe districts of Rwanda within the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) to document the available edible indigenous fruit trees (IFTs), prioritise IFTs, document the determinants for their preferences and examine local uses of the keystone IFTs. A total of 300 farmers familiar with IFTs were interviewed face to face using semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. Questionnaire responses were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS. Generated themes from qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. A total of 13 IFTs was recorded in the sampled districts. Highly prioritized IFTs were Ximenia caffra, Garcinia buchanani, Parinari curatellifolia, Pappea capensis, Anona senegalensis, Myrianthus holstii, Carisa edulis and Lannea schimperi. Age, occupation and income of the farmers significantly influenced preference of IFTs. Major uses of IFTs included food, medicine, firewood and timber. There is a need to include the preferred IFTs in the agricultural programme since they are perceived as valuable resources. |
