Consumption of fruits and vegetables in the peri-urban interface: implications for post-harvest systems in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

The consumption of adequate quantities of fruits and vegetables is essential to a healthy life. The growing body of evidence on fruits and vegetable consumption mainly focus on urban areas with very scanty information and data on rural/peri-urban areas. This study was carried out in the peri urban interface of Ibadan. It examined the access of people to fruits and vegetables and the factors which affect their consumption. Through multi-stage sampling technique, two hundred respondents were selected from four peri-urban communities and data were obtained through the use of pre-tested questionnaire and interview schedules. Results revealed that more than ninety-five per cent of respondents are aware of the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables. Majority of the respondents consumed more of indigenous than exotic fruits and vegetables, preferring fresh to processed fruits. More than seventy per cent of respondents obtained fruits and vegetables from local markets with an expenditure of less than six per cent of their monthly income. Major constraint to consumers’ access to fruits is the seasonality of these items, making them scarce during off seasons.

Key words: Peri-urban interface, fruits, vegetables, consumption.