Prioritizing wild medicinal and food plants with potential for commercialization and value chain improvement for livelihood enhancement and poverty reduction in Uganda

Abstract

Uganda is endowed with a diversity of wild and cultivated plant species that can be commercialized for livelihood enhancement and poverty reduction. These wild plants are increasingly becoming a valuable source of livelihoods for many people through household use and trading as medicine, food or craft materials. However existing literature on commercialization of wild food and medicinal plants in Uganda is largely anecdotal and disjointed. The objectives of this study were to (i) to identify wild food and medicinal plants sold in capital markets in Kampala (ii) To rank wild food and medicinal plants with potential for commercialization (iii) To identify challenges affecting wild medicinal and food plants trade in Uganda. A market survey was conducted in the markets of Kampala Capital City to identify wild and semi wild food and medicinal plants on the market. A total of 48 wild and semi wild food and medicinal plant species were recorded on the market. Using commercialization index, the wild plants were ranked according to their commercialization potential. It is evident from this study that wild plants with commercialization potential do exist on the Ugandan markets. It is recommended that in-depth value chain analysis of potential plants be conducted and business capacity of traders be developed.