The hidden safety net: wild and semi-wild plant consumption and dietary diversity among women farmers in Southwestern Burkina Faso

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mainstream development thinking suggests that increasing agricultural production will increase wealth and lead to improved diets. However, in Burkina Faso, even better off rural areas are still experiencing widespread nutrition insecurity. Wild plants play a key role in rural diets and serve as a nutritional safety net. This research investigates the use of wild plants for dietary diversity among women rice farmers and their households in southwestern Burkina Faso. We use data collected through semi-structured interviews with 131 women over the 2016–2020 period. We find that wild foods are important for dietary diversity, especially for poor households.