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ABSTRACT
The study assessed crop utilization, preservation, and conservation methods in six local government areas (LGAs) that make up Afenmai land in Nigeria. A total of 36 economic crops belonging to 20 higher plant families are used by the Afenmai people. Among these crops, only eight are used in all the LGAs that make up Afenmai. The similarity in crop utilization patterns using Jaccard’s index ranged from 38.24 to 100.The plants are used fresh immature, fresh mature, processed immature, and processed mature. The highest use report of 481 was recorded from Vernonia amygdalina whereas Saccharum officinarum had the lowest use value of 41. Results of the cultural value index suggest V. amygdalina has the highest cultural value (0.38) whereas Amaranthus hybridus, Mangifera indica, Ocimum gratissimum, S. officinarum, Theobroma cacao, and Zea mays had the least value (0.01). The use diversity rank was in the order food > medicine > ornamental > others > building > religious and cultural. Individual crop ranking revealed Cocos nucifera >Elaeis guineensis > Telfairia occidentalis and Theobroma cacao as the 36th-ranked crop. Crops are stored using diverse traditional systems for periods ranging from less than a month to less than two years depending on the crop. Respondents believe these traditional preservation methods either improve taste, make the taste worse, or are not sure of the benefits. In conclusion, there is a need for advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns to promote value-addition and sustainable post-harvest crop management.
