PRODUCTION CHALLENGES, USES AND CONSUMPTION OF PUMPKIN PRODUCTS BY FARMERS IN KISII CENTRAL SUB COUNTY, KISII COUNTY, KENYA

Nyamwamu Nyarang’o Charles*, Pascaline Jeruto, Elizabeth Njenga and Lizzy Mwamburi

Pumpkin is a native vegetable crop with vast prospective to offer nourishment, food security and revenue to families in Kenya but its production and consumption remains dismal. The vegetable has been accorded insignificant consideration in research and has not been embraced as a lucrative venture. The available literature reveals that production challenges and consumption of pumpkin products by smallholder farmers in Kisii have not been studied neither documented. The study was conducted in Kisii Central Sub- County. The study analyzed production challenges, uses and consumption of pumpkin products by farmers in Kisii Central Sub County, Kisii County. A household survey of 120 pumpkin growing family units was conducted using structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using inferential statistics (one sample t- test) and descriptive methods such as frequencies, percentages, presented using tables. Pumpkin fruits and leaves were largely used as food while seeds were utilized as planting materials by majority of the households. Pumpkin was considered food for the poor, children and women. There was a statistical significance in socio-cultural pumpkin consumption (t9 = 4.935, p < 0.05), (Appendix 2, i(b). The main challenges in pumpkin production were pests and diseases. Additionally, there was a statistical significance in pumpkin production challenges (t14 = 7.004, p < 0.05), (Appendix 2 (b). Policy interventions such as enhancement of farmers’ awareness and strategies to promote pumpkin production in Kisii central sub county, western Kenya. The study will enable the researcher highlight the production challenges affecting pumpkin growing and provide a basis for further research. The study results will also inform the Ministry of Agriculture and other stake-holders in-order to highlight the uses and importance of pumpkin growing in Kenya so as to improve pumpkin production and its consumption in Kenya.