Abstract

This study assessed rural household?s perception of the African Yam Bean (AYB) (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) utilisation in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Specific objectives were to describe socioeconomic characteristics of rural households in the study area; examine the extent of utilisation among rural households; and constraints to utilisation of AYB in the study area. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and twenty respondents. Data collected using structured interview schedule were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques and Pearson correlation. The results revealed majority of rural household (67.5%) had favourable perception of African yam bean utilisation, though moderate number of rural households rarely utilising as food, cover crop and fertiliser. Prolonged cooking time, odour during cooking and hardness of the seed coat were the major constraints to its utilisation. Furthermore, there was positive and significant relationships (p < 0.05) between rural households? socio-economic characteristics such as household size (r= 0. 49), extension contacts (r= 0.38) and rural household perception of utilisation of AYB. It was concluded that rural households have high perception towards utilisation of African yam bean though the utilisation status is declining. Extension personnel should create awareness on the nutritional and health benefits of the crop to alleviate poverty among rural households.

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