Enhancing Dietary Diversity in Southern Ethiopia: Unearthing the Role of Neglected and Underutilized Crop and Wild Edible Plant Species In Case of Wolaita and Dawuro Zones -IJCT Volume 12 – Issue 5 | IJCTV12I5P52

In Southern Ethiopia, Neglected and Underutilized Crops (NUCs) and Wild Edible Plants (WEPs) offer a promising solution for future food security and healthier diet. Despite this fact, research and development efforts have largely sidelined these drought resilient and nutrient-rich crops and plants. To this end, this study aims to address the following specific objectives: (a) to identify, prioritize and document NUCs and WEPs, (b) to analyze the perception of rural households towards NUCs and WEPs consumption (c) to analyze the consumers’ preference on NUCs and WEPs and (d) to evaluate the implication of NUCs and WEPs consumption on improving households’ dietary diversity. The study will apply a convergence research design, which involves collecting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data at the same time frame following the multistage sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics with econometrics model will be used to analyze the study data. The study findings will provide valuable insights in to the promotion of neglected and underutilized crops and wild edible plants with their multiple effects in enhancing dietary diversity, food and nutrition security and positive biodiversity impacts in the study area and beyond. Moreover, the study results could guide policy decisions and implementation strategies for better nutrition and sustainable food systems. The study is expected to cost ETB 366,445.

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In Southern Ethiopia, Neglected and Underutilized Crops (NUCs) and Wild Edible Plants (WEPs) offer a promising solution for future food security and healthier diet. Despite this fact, research and development efforts have largely sidelined these drought resilient and nutrient-rich crops and plants. To this end, this study aims to address the following specific objectives: (a) to identify, prioritize and document NUCs and WEPs, (b) to analyze the perception of rural households towards NUCs and WEPs consumption (c) to analyze the consumers’ preference on NUCs and WEPs and (d) to evaluate the implication of NUCs and WEPs consumption on improving households’ dietary diversity. The study will apply a convergence research design, which involves collecting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data at the same time frame following the multistage sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics with econometrics model will be used to analyze the study data. The study findings will provide valuable insights in to the promotion of neglected and underutilized crops and wild edible plants with their multiple effects in enhancing dietary diversity, food and nutrition security and positive biodiversity impacts in the study area and beyond. Moreover, the study results could guide policy decisions and implementation strategies for better nutrition and sustainable food systems. The study is expected to cost ETB 366,445.

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