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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 21, No. 5, 2021, pp. 18083-18100
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Bioline Code: nd21060
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 21, No. 5, 2021, pp. 18083-18100
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TRADITIONAL FOOD PROCESSING PRACTICES OF OATS ( Avena sativa ) AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD SECURITY IN GOZAMIN DISTRICT OF NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA
Getaneh, FA; Forsido, SF; Yetenayet, BT; Addisu, AA; Minbale, AT & Endale, A
Abstract
Oat is one of the cereal crops in Ethiopia, which is less recognized in terms of its food
value and productivity. It is grown and utilized as a staple food only in a specific part
of the country. The objective of this study was to assess the food significance of oat
and document associated traditional food knowledge of the crop in Gozamin district,
Northwest part of Ethiopia. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire,
focus group discussion and key informant interviews. Secondary data collected from
Gozamin agriculture development offices and research centers were used to support our
results. A total of 388 households participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were
edited, coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 20.0. The results
of this study affirmed that 97.2% of the producers cultivated oat every year and high
rainfall is the suitable weather condition for its production. As per the results of this
study, oat is tolerant to acidic and marginally fertile soils where other plants do not
grow and yield well. As compared to other conventional cereal crops, 85% of the
participants of the study reported that the cultivation of oat does not require extensive
farming and can be produced with minimum inputs. The entire population of
respondents (100%) reported that oat grain was used as food. Almost all the
respondents (99.2%) utilized oat as their staple crop for their families. Oat ranked first
in terms of consumption at household level as compared to other cereal crops (tef,
maize, wheat, and barley). In the district, oat is processed into different food types and
beverages including injera, kitta/anababiro, gruel, porridge, enket, and local alcoholic
drinks, tella. Oat is rarely used to prepare porridge and local alcoholic beverages as
compared to other cereal-based staple food types. Porridge and local alcoholic
beverages are commonly prepared for special occasions and on holidays. Oat is a less
known crop in specific locations but could contribute to enhancing food diversity
options to improve food and nutrition security efforts in the country.
Keywords
Food Security; Oat; Oat Processing; Underutilized Crop; Traditional Foods
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