The Role of Nutraceutical Plants in Diversifying Food Source and Healthcare in Lare District, Gambella Regional State, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Gambella Regional State in general and specifically Lare District has a huge potential of useful plants which provide food, healthcare and other multi-purpose benefits to local people. However, information on different type of plants, their use and utilization were inadequate. The purpose of this study was to identify the nutraceutical plants, their role in diversifying food sources, healthcare and other socio-economic contribution to households in the area. Three Kebeles were Selected purposely, based on the local people knowledge on the use and consumption of these plants. Semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, key informants interview, ranking method on species, based on their multi use, taste and perceived threats were used. One hundred twenty informants were interviewed. Thirty eight plants were identified. Among these, 39.47% were herbs, 31.57% were tree, 21.05% were shrubs, 5.26% were climber and only 2.63% were vegetative part of plant used. The listed plants were used for home consumption, healthcare though some other multi-purpose uses were reported. These were collected in different habitat. Most of them were collected during dry and on set of rainy season. Females collect them more than men, and children collect and consume them more than their elders in the household as shown by the results. Leaf, roots, fruits, bark, stem, and seed were the parts used for food and medicines. Their consumption correlates strongly to the size of household members and decrease in total household income at 5% significant level. The study identified the threats faced by vegetation in the area. Fire, agricultural expansion, fuel wood collection, timber collection and drought were among the threats mentioned. In conclusion, this study reveals that knowledge about edibility, habitat distribution and other uses of nutraceutical plant species is still maintained among the study community. As a result, the study recommends that, nutritional aspects of these plants need to be studied for further use. The existing district decision makers and other stakeholders in the area should design an all-inclusive and participatory management strategy that involves the local people in managements of these plants in order to address the mentioned threats on these plants.