Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

(ISSN: 2659 – 0743)

Volume 7, No. 1,  2025
Pages 46-74

DOI: 10.36108/jvbs/5202.70.0140

Ethnobotanical Assessment and Utilization of Medicinal Plants for Meat
Preservation Among Farmers in Gwagwalada, Nigeria.

Lawal Iya Ramota,¹ Adeniran Lateef Ariyo,²Echi Cecilia Ebi,² Poroye Oluwatosin
Mercy², Bolorunduro Babatunde Bramwell² Adeniran Michael Olayemi², Yusuf Idris²
and Olatunde Peter Ajagbonna^3
1Department of Animal Health and Production, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria.
²Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary medicine,
University of Abuja, Nigeria.
³Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, University of Abuja, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

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.
Keywords: Ethnobotanical; Meat, Preservation, Medicinal Plants, Abuja.

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