Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma

Nasma Abubakari Ally; Frida Albinus Nyamete; Lucy Mlipano Chove

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14

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Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma

Nasma Abubakari Ally^*, Frida Albinus Nyamete

, Lucy Mlipano Chove

Published in Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 8 November 2025 Accepted: 24 November 2025 Published: 17 December 2025

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Abstract

Underutilized Vegetables (UVs) are nutrient dense crops with substantial potential to enhance food security and dietary diversity, yet remain largely overlooked in mainstream agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, domestication and cultivation practices of UVs in Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania through across sectional survey of 307 respondents. Chi- square test was performed to assess associations between categorical variables such as Dodoma and Morogoro. 30 species of underutilized vegetables consumed both in Morogoro and Dodoma regions were identified. Overall, 75.6% (n=232) of respondents demonstrated high familiarity with UVs, reflecting their cultural and dietary relevance. Domestication rates varied significantly by region, 83.2 % (99/119) of Morogoro farmers reported cultivating UVs in home gardens, compared with just 29.3%(55/188) in Dodoma with a highly significant difference (χ² = 84.805, p =0.000). The main reason hindering UVs domestication was water scarcity in semi-arid Dodoma (68%), as well as the availability of underutilized vegetables in wild areas. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to further identify factors that independently influenced the respondents’ practices score. Region, age, and education level affected the practices score, with regression p-values of 0.001, 0.021, and 0.014 respectively. In Morogoro, 54 respondents (n = 119) achieved higher GAP scores, while none in Dodoma did. These interregional disparities appear to be driven by differential access to water resources, extension services, and functional market linkages. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including water management strategies in semi-arid Dodoma, Community based training, seed multiplication initiatives and integrating UVs into national research, policy and market development frameworks. Such efforts could transform UVs from neglected wild forages into climate resilient, nutrient-rich crops, enhancing both sustainable agriculture and nutrition security in Tanzania.

Published in	Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14
Page(s)	334-352
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Underutilized Vegetables, Domestication, Good Agricultural Practices, Food Security

References

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APA Style

Ally, N. A., Nyamete, F. A., Chove, L. M. (2025). Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 13(6), 334-352. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14

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ACS Style

Ally, N. A.; Nyamete, F. A.; Chove, L. M. Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2025, 13(6), 334-352. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14

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AMA Style

Ally NA, Nyamete FA, Chove LM. Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma. J Food Nutr Sci. 2025;13(6):334-352. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14

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@article{10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14,
  author = {Nasma Abubakari Ally and Frida Albinus Nyamete and Lucy Mlipano Chove},
  title = {Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma},
  journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {334-352},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20251306.14},
  abstract = {Underutilized Vegetables (UVs) are nutrient dense crops with substantial potential to enhance food security and dietary diversity, yet remain largely overlooked in mainstream agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, domestication and cultivation practices of UVs in Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania through across sectional survey of 307 respondents. Chi- square test was performed to assess associations between categorical variables such as Dodoma and Morogoro. 30 species of underutilized vegetables consumed both in Morogoro and Dodoma regions were identified. Overall, 75.6% (n=232) of respondents demonstrated high familiarity with UVs, reflecting their cultural and dietary relevance. Domestication rates varied significantly by region, 83.2 % (99/119) of Morogoro farmers reported cultivating UVs in home gardens, compared with just 29.3%(55/188) in Dodoma with a highly significant difference (χ² = 84.805, p =0.000). The main reason hindering UVs domestication was water scarcity in semi-arid Dodoma (68%), as well as the availability of underutilized vegetables in wild areas. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to further identify factors that independently influenced the respondents’ practices score. Region, age, and education level affected the practices score, with regression p-values of 0.001, 0.021, and 0.014 respectively. In Morogoro, 54 respondents (n = 119) achieved higher GAP scores, while none in Dodoma did. These interregional disparities appear to be driven by differential access to water resources, extension services, and functional market linkages. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including water management strategies in semi-arid Dodoma, Community based training, seed multiplication initiatives and integrating UVs into national research, policy and market development frameworks. Such efforts could transform UVs from neglected wild forages into climate resilient, nutrient-rich crops, enhancing both sustainable agriculture and nutrition security in Tanzania.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma
AU  - Nasma Abubakari Ally
AU  - Frida Albinus Nyamete
AU  - Lucy Mlipano Chove
Y1  - 2025/12/17
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14
T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
SP  - 334
EP  - 352
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7293
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14
AB  - Underutilized Vegetables (UVs) are nutrient dense crops with substantial potential to enhance food security and dietary diversity, yet remain largely overlooked in mainstream agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, domestication and cultivation practices of UVs in Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania through across sectional survey of 307 respondents. Chi- square test was performed to assess associations between categorical variables such as Dodoma and Morogoro. 30 species of underutilized vegetables consumed both in Morogoro and Dodoma regions were identified. Overall, 75.6% (n=232) of respondents demonstrated high familiarity with UVs, reflecting their cultural and dietary relevance. Domestication rates varied significantly by region, 83.2 % (99/119) of Morogoro farmers reported cultivating UVs in home gardens, compared with just 29.3%(55/188) in Dodoma with a highly significant difference (χ² = 84.805, p =0.000). The main reason hindering UVs domestication was water scarcity in semi-arid Dodoma (68%), as well as the availability of underutilized vegetables in wild areas. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to further identify factors that independently influenced the respondents’ practices score. Region, age, and education level affected the practices score, with regression p-values of 0.001, 0.021, and 0.014 respectively. In Morogoro, 54 respondents (n = 119) achieved higher GAP scores, while none in Dodoma did. These interregional disparities appear to be driven by differential access to water resources, extension services, and functional market linkages. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including water management strategies in semi-arid Dodoma, Community based training, seed multiplication initiatives and integrating UVs into national research, policy and market development frameworks. Such efforts could transform UVs from neglected wild forages into climate resilient, nutrient-rich crops, enhancing both sustainable agriculture and nutrition security in Tanzania.
VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Nasma Abubakari Ally

Department of Food Science and Agro-Processing, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

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Frida Albinus Nyamete

Department of Food Science and Agro-Processing, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

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http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0572-1686
Lucy Mlipano Chove

Department of Food Science and Agro-Processing, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9164-3615

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APA Style

Ally, N. A., Nyamete, F. A., Chove, L. M. (2025). Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 13(6), 334-352. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14

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ACS Style

Ally, N. A.; Nyamete, F. A.; Chove, L. M. Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2025, 13(6), 334-352. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14

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AMA Style

Ally NA, Nyamete FA, Chove LM. Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma. J Food Nutr Sci. 2025;13(6):334-352. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14

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@article{10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14,
  author = {Nasma Abubakari Ally and Frida Albinus Nyamete and Lucy Mlipano Chove},
  title = {Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma},
  journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {334-352},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20251306.14},
  abstract = {Underutilized Vegetables (UVs) are nutrient dense crops with substantial potential to enhance food security and dietary diversity, yet remain largely overlooked in mainstream agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, domestication and cultivation practices of UVs in Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania through across sectional survey of 307 respondents. Chi- square test was performed to assess associations between categorical variables such as Dodoma and Morogoro. 30 species of underutilized vegetables consumed both in Morogoro and Dodoma regions were identified. Overall, 75.6% (n=232) of respondents demonstrated high familiarity with UVs, reflecting their cultural and dietary relevance. Domestication rates varied significantly by region, 83.2 % (99/119) of Morogoro farmers reported cultivating UVs in home gardens, compared with just 29.3%(55/188) in Dodoma with a highly significant difference (χ² = 84.805, p =0.000). The main reason hindering UVs domestication was water scarcity in semi-arid Dodoma (68%), as well as the availability of underutilized vegetables in wild areas. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to further identify factors that independently influenced the respondents’ practices score. Region, age, and education level affected the practices score, with regression p-values of 0.001, 0.021, and 0.014 respectively. In Morogoro, 54 respondents (n = 119) achieved higher GAP scores, while none in Dodoma did. These interregional disparities appear to be driven by differential access to water resources, extension services, and functional market linkages. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including water management strategies in semi-arid Dodoma, Community based training, seed multiplication initiatives and integrating UVs into national research, policy and market development frameworks. Such efforts could transform UVs from neglected wild forages into climate resilient, nutrient-rich crops, enhancing both sustainable agriculture and nutrition security in Tanzania.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Identification Domestication and Cultivation Practices of Underutilized Vegetables in Morogoro and Dodoma
AU  - Nasma Abubakari Ally
AU  - Frida Albinus Nyamete
AU  - Lucy Mlipano Chove
Y1  - 2025/12/17
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14
T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
SP  - 334
EP  - 352
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7293
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.14
AB  - Underutilized Vegetables (UVs) are nutrient dense crops with substantial potential to enhance food security and dietary diversity, yet remain largely overlooked in mainstream agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, domestication and cultivation practices of UVs in Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania through across sectional survey of 307 respondents. Chi- square test was performed to assess associations between categorical variables such as Dodoma and Morogoro. 30 species of underutilized vegetables consumed both in Morogoro and Dodoma regions were identified. Overall, 75.6% (n=232) of respondents demonstrated high familiarity with UVs, reflecting their cultural and dietary relevance. Domestication rates varied significantly by region, 83.2 % (99/119) of Morogoro farmers reported cultivating UVs in home gardens, compared with just 29.3%(55/188) in Dodoma with a highly significant difference (χ² = 84.805, p =0.000). The main reason hindering UVs domestication was water scarcity in semi-arid Dodoma (68%), as well as the availability of underutilized vegetables in wild areas. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to further identify factors that independently influenced the respondents’ practices score. Region, age, and education level affected the practices score, with regression p-values of 0.001, 0.021, and 0.014 respectively. In Morogoro, 54 respondents (n = 119) achieved higher GAP scores, while none in Dodoma did. These interregional disparities appear to be driven by differential access to water resources, extension services, and functional market linkages. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including water management strategies in semi-arid Dodoma, Community based training, seed multiplication initiatives and integrating UVs into national research, policy and market development frameworks. Such efforts could transform UVs from neglected wild forages into climate resilient, nutrient-rich crops, enhancing both sustainable agriculture and nutrition security in Tanzania.
VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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