Wild fruit collection and its impact on household food security in the Luapula Province, Zambia

In many sub-Saharan African countries, wild fruits offer great potential to serve as a nutritional complement and safety net in times of food shortages. However, their true contribution to food security is still insufficiently investigated. This study, therefore, examines the impact of wild fruits on the food security of 215 households in Northern Zambia. Data were collected through focus group discussions and a census. The Food Consumption Score (FCS) and reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) were calculated as food security indicators. Results of multiple linear regression analysis reveal no relationship between wild fruit collection and the rCSI. However, households with a lower FCS rely more on wild fruit collection to diversify their diets and can significantly improve their food security the more fruits they collect. Thus, households do not consider wild fruit collection as a coping strategy in times of food scarcity but rather use wild fruits as nutritional complements to a regular diet.