Cultivar recognition in Micronesia: banana, breadfruit, giant swamp taro and pandanus
2005
Englberger, L. (Island Food Community of Pohnpei (Micronesia, Fed States of)) | Fitzgerald, M.H. | Marks, G.C.
There are many cultivars of the locally-grown staple foods, banana, breadfruit, giant swamp taro and pandanus, in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), some varying greatly in nutrient content. The objective of this investigation was to document present cultivar recognition, in order to provide information for developing a food-based intervention for dietary improvement and alleviation of vitamin A deficiency. An ethnographic approach using key informant interviews in Kosrae and Pohnpei, two FSM states, explored recognition of the above-listed foods. Data are presented from three groups of informants: community informants, college students and child caretakers (mostly women). Despite the trend in FSM towards consumption of imported foods, the findings indicated that there is still considerable knowledge of the food cultivars investigated. Cultivar recognition varied by food and participant's age, gender and island. Cultivar recognition was greatest for banana, students naming eight cultivars on average. Caretakers easily named the banana and pandanus cultivars that they had eaten. In FSM, understanding cultivar recognition and cultivar differences (including cultivar-specific data on food composition) is important for assessing food-based interventions promoting vitamin A-rich cultivars and dietary assessment. Such understanding also represents cultivar biodiversity, food security and cultural integrity. Cultivar recognition and cultivar differences are also likely to be important in other Pacific countries and elsewhere where these foods are eaten
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