Browsing by Author "Kiharason, Jedidah Wanjiku"

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Contribution of multi-purpose pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) to the economy of selected Kenyan small-scale households
(Science Publishing Group, 2019-03-19) Kiharason, Jedidah Wanjiku; Isutsa, Dorcas Khasungu; ; ;
Pumpkin (C. moschata Duch.) fruit is a highly nutritious horticultural crop with great potential for commercialization. However, in Kenya many households do not buy and utilize pumpkins regularly, leading to low demand. These scenarios increase post-harvest losses and provide no incentive for farmers to increase production in Kenya, which has an abundance of pumpkin landraces that unfortunately remain under-exploited and under-utilized. Their distribution and marketing is a great challenge due to easy perishability. Horticultural crops experience losses in quality and quantity in between harvest and consumption. The magnitude of post-harvest losses in fresh fruits and vegetables is estimated to range from 20% to 50% in developing countries. The present study determined marketability of fresh fruit, and the spoilage rate of fresh fruit in the various presentation formats (eighth, quarter and half slices and a control of whole fruit either wrapped or not with cling film). Selling was facilitated by four market women in Nyeri County of Kenya. Statistical analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) in number of spoilt pieces over time, and between number of days to spoilage of whole fruit, compared to slice fruit. More quarter and half slices got spoiled after a few days of presentation to buyers. Nonetheless, quarter slices had the highest (54.5%) pieces sold, while half slices had the fewest (9.8%) pieces sold. However, no significant differences occurred in average number of pieces sold, or in amount of money from sale of fruit pieces of different presentation formats. Most consumers preferred buying smaller slices. Therefore, adoption and promotion of pumpkin presentation formats that effectively increase shelf-life is recommended to enhance production and utilization in Kenya.
Potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato in increasing vitamin A dietary intake in up to 60-month-old children in Laikipia, Kenya
(University of Nairobi, 2010-07) Kiharason, Jedidah Wanjiku
Developing countries, more so those in sub-Saharan Africa, are having to grapple with high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. Food based approaches are being recommended as the sustainable interventions. In Kenya, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are being recommended as one such food. This study was therefore designed to assess the potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato to improve vitamin A intake by children 25-60 months old in Rumuruti division of Laikipia district, Kenya. , Using a semi-structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 227 mothers with the target children. The situation of vitamin A deficiency was assessed using one biological and five of a composite of demographic and ecological indicators. The extent of production and consumption of sweet potato by households were also assessed. A 24-hour recall was used on a sub-sample of 32 mothers to determine dietary intake of vitamin A by the children. A focus group discussion was used to determine awareness about night blindness and its local term. As a sub-clinical indicator for vitamin A deficiency, night blindness was carried out on only 4.8% of the children; the rest had received vitamin A supplementation within the last six months. Data was coded, entered, recoded and analyzed using MS Excel, Vitamin A Intake Calculator, SPSS and Epi-Info. None of the few children assessed showed any night blindness. However, demographic and ecological indicators indicated that the children were at risk of vitamin A deficiency: 86% households were surviving on less than one dollar per person per day and less than 75% of the children were consuming vitamin A-rich foods for more than 3 days in a xii week. The results indicated that 68.7% of the children had inadequate dietary intake of vitamin A in the last 24 hours. Of this group, the 25-36 months old group had consumed on average 60.8% and the 37-60 months old group, 62.7% of their RDAs. The study established that 42% households were growing and consuming mainly whitefleshed sweet potato varieties but only 24.2% had consumed sweet potatoes in the last 7 days; only 3% had consumed for at least 3 days in the week. No child had consumed sweet potato in the last 24 hours. Potential for contribution of sweet potato to vitamin A intake by children was obtained through calculation, by assuming that an average child consumed lOOg of orange-fleshed sweet potato once a day. With the consumption, the RDA for vitamin A would be met from consumption of sweet potato alone. The children within the age of 25-36 months old would be required to eat 27g of the potato, and those between 37-60 months old would require 35g of the sweet potato to meet their RDA for vitamin A. The study concluded that sweet potatoes are a familiar and acceptable food in Rumuruti, but their contribution to vitamin A intake is minimal. Without vitamin A capsule supplementation, up. to 68% of the children are at risle of VAD. However, inclusion of orange-fleshed sweet potato in their daily diets would easily meet their vitamin A RDAs and there would be no need for the vitamin A capsule administration.