Ethnobotanical Assessment and Utilization of Medicinal Plants for MeatPreservation Among Farmers in Gwagwalada, Nigeria

This study surveyed the demographic profile of farmers and the usage of medicinal plants for meat preservation in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Of the respondents, 67% were male, 33% were female, and 95.2% were aged 31 and above, indicating the significance of older farmers in agricultural activities. A vast majority (86.4%) lacked formal education, and 87.2% had more than 21 years of farming experience, primarily gained through ancestral knowledge. The study identified 32 species from 20 families of medicinal plants, with Capsicum annuum, Adansonia digitata, and Zingiber officinale being the most used for meat preservation. Leaves were the most utilized plant part (58.3%). The findings underscore the importance of ethnobotanical knowledge in rural communities for sustainable food preservation practices. Ethnic diversity and limited formal education play significant roles in shaping these practices.