Analysis of small-scale farmers’ indigenous knowledge of bambara groundnut - a case of Syringavale, Zimbabwe

Bambara groundnut (BGN), a legume in the Fabaceae family, is typically cultivated on a small scale by female subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite being the largest exporter of BGN in southern Africa, Zimbabwe considers BGN a supplementary crop. Although components of BGN have been previously studied, this study involved active participation from local farmers, leading to a more community-driven understanding of perceptions and practices surrounding this legume. This study was conducted in the Syringavale community in Marula, situated in the Matabeleland South province of Zimbabwe and consisted of fifty Black African respondents [females (86%) and males (14%)]. The primary aim was to collect indigenous information on consumer perceptions, agricultural and processing practices, cultural beliefs and superstitions, and the overall significance of BGN in the community. Simple random sampling was used to select fifty households, from a list of sixty BGN-cultivating households, in the study area, followed by judgmental sampling to choose one respondent per selected household. Then after, a mixed-methods approach was applied, with structured questionnaire administered first, followed by in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to systematically identify and categorise themes, sub-themes and patterns within qualitative responses. Bambara groundnut was cultivated at household level, mostly by married women over the age of 40 and held dietary, agricultural, medicinal and traditional significance. Different components of the BGN crop, such as the seeds, leaves, flowers, roots and pods were reported to serve as food, fodder, medicine, maturity indicators and compost. Boiling, soaking, roasting, baking, cracking and frying were the cooking methods used in the community, with boiling being the most common method used by 100% of respondents. Respondents (100%) showed a preference for the mature green seed over the dry seed due to the significant time and energy consumption associated with cooking the latter. Some respondents (52%) sold their BGN produce in the open market, at home, to wholesalers, as well as in petty batter. Urbanisation, heavy rains and cultural beliefs were cited as major hindrances to BGN production. The prioritisation of BGN in terms of land allocation was recommended considering its nutritional and economic value as well as its potential contribution to the alleviation of poverty and malnutrition. Key words: Bambara groundnut, subsistence farming, legumes, poverty alleviation, small scale farmers