Factors Affecting the Popularity of Selected Underutilized Fruits within Urban Households: Evidence from Maharagama Divisional Secretariat Division

Abstract

Sri Lanka, as a developing country has many problems related to food scarcity and malnutrition. Many underutilized fruit species are nutritionally rich and adapted to low input agriculture. These fruits complement the diet by providing important vitamins and minerals but are not widely consumed mainly by urbanites due to less popularity. This research studied the factors affecting the popularity of selected underutilized fruits within urban households. Quantitative and qualitative measures along with cross-sectional survey method were used. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 100 households. Frequency Distribution and Chi-square Tests were the statistical techniques applied in the quantitative analysis of data. Results revealed that Banana was the most popular fruit among (more than 96% of the respondents), followed by Papaya (more than 88%) and Mango (more than 78%) were the other popular fruits. Kirala (Sonneratia alba) and Lawulu (Pouteria campechiana ) showed 2% consumption frequency hence categorized as less popular and Himbutu (Salacia chinensis ) and Madan (Syzygium cumini) were not popular at all. As a whole 28.1% consumption frequency was observed for underutilized fruits which stated that they are less popular. As major factors affecting popularity, fruit scarcity and less commercial cultivation were observed. Other factors are seasonality and less awareness on those fruits. It was discovered that less land availability and time constraint are the major causes for less propensity to cultivate them in home gardens.