Management and Utilization of Wild Nutraceutical Plants Implications in Diversifying Food sources and Traditional Health care systems in Lare Woreda, Gambella Regional State, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The diverse wild Nutraceutical plants in Lare woreda of Gambella Regional State are
known to have a huge potential in their overall socio-economic contribution to the
community, especially in diversifying food sources and traditional health care systems.
However, information on the management, processing and utilization of these plants are
inadequate as they are not well studied. Therefore, this study was conducted with the
objective of assessing the management and utilization aspects of the existing
nutraceutical plants in the area. To that end, 120 households from three representative
administrative Kebeles were selected and interviewed using semi-structured
questionnaire. Other methods of data collection, which include focus group discussions,
key informants interview, and preference ranking, were also employed in addition to the
formal household survey. A total of 37 wild useful plant species belonging to 27 families
and contributing to diversifying local food sources and health care systems (for treating
both human and livestock diseases) were identified. These plant species belong to
different habits, which include trees, shrubs, climbers, and herbs; and the communities
can access them in different types of habitats (mainly, from dense woodland areas, open
woodlands, road side plants and bush lands). Different threats encountered in the
overall management of woodland vegetations consisting of these plants, which have
resulted in the decline in their distribution, were also identified. These threats include
frequent fire, agricultural land expansion and investment, fuel wood collection, timber
collection and settlements. With regard to their processing and utilization, some of these
plant parts are consumed raw, whereas some others are taken in the forms of juice as
well as porridge. The different parts of the plants (fruits, leaves, seeds, roots/tubers,
barks and stems) are used as sources of food and traditional medicines. As
recommendations the study suggested that necessary management interventions, which
can address the major threats identified, should be made in order to enhance the role of
these plants. Environmental impact assessments associated with proposed conversions
of major habitats of these plants into other land uses, such as agricultural investment and
settlement purposes, should be conducted. Moreover, an all-inclusive and participatory
management strategy that involves the local people in managements of these plants
should be designed and implemented in order to address the major threats. Further
studies on the chemical and nutritional aspects of these wild nutraceutical plants in the
area are also required for designing more modern ways of their processing and
utilization.