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Survey of production, utilization and proximate composition of some minor rootand tuber crops in Nigeria
Abstract
A survey was conducted between 2004 and 2005 to explore and collect germplasms of minor root and tuber crops grown in Nigeria. Information collected include, local names, locations, production/agronomic practices, utilization and marketing among others. Samples of materials collected were analyzed for their proximate compositions. A total of 76 turmeric, 19 Hausa potato, 13 Livingstone potato and 21 Polynesian arrowroot accessions were collected. Turmeric is cultivated and utilized in 19 states, Hausa potato 6 states, Livingstone potato two states while Polynesian arrowroot was collected from 10 states but utilized as food only in five states. The highest number of turmeric collection was obtained in Ekiti state (15.8%). While the highest collection of Hausa potato (36.8%) and Livingstone potato (69.2%) were obtained respectively from Kaduna and Plateau states, 19% of Polynesian arrowroot collections were each obtained in Plateau and Oyo states. Most of the crops are produced in smallholdings of less than 0.1 ha. Cultivation was mostly by old women except Polynesian arrowroot that was collected in the wild. The carbohydrate content (NFE) of the crops ranges between 60.23-80.40 g/100g, crude protein (7.58-14.00g/100g), total ash (3.01-6.97g/100g), calcium (0.27-0.45g/100g) and phosphorus (0.27- 0.59g/100g) all on dry weight basis. These crops play key roles in the food supply system, income generation, improved health and preservation of cultural heritage of the rural household. To fully harness their potentials, the need for more research efforts in the areas of crop improvement, agronomic practices, pests and disease control, nutritional studies, post-production handling and processing was suggested.
Keywords: Potato tumeric, production, utilization, nutrient
