Determinants of consumers’ acceptance of indigenous leafy vegetables in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa

Abstract

AbstractIndigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) do not only play a significant role in ensuring livelihoods for households in South Africa but can also contribute in enhancing the consumption of diversified foods for improved micronutrient intake. However, these plants are underutilized and their consumption is determined by ILVs' regional cuisines accepted in certain ethnic groups. This study was set out to assess the acceptance of indigenous leafy vegetables by consumers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The study used secondary data that were collected by the South African Vulnerability Assessment Committee in 2016. A total of 1520 respondents were selected from the two provinces using a multistage stratified sampling method. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that blackjack was the least consumed leafy vegetable as compared to amaranth and cleome, which were, respectively, most consumed. Seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model was employed to analyse the determinants of consumers’ acceptance of ILVs. The results of SUR showed that gender of the household head, marital status, HIV status, wages/salary, and grants were statistically significant in influencing the acceptance of ILVs by consumers. Education and marital status had a negative influence on the acceptance of all leafy vegetables being investigated in this study. Policy makers need to consider the inclusion of ILVs into the school curriculum and national food and nutrition security policy.