Household and individual consumption frequency, knowledge, attitudes, and perceived constraints data related to Sechium edule (cidra papa) and/or Bactris gasipaes (chontaduro) in Palmira, Cartago, and San José del Palmar, Colombia (2025)

This dataset contains cleaned and harmonized household- and individual-level survey data on the consumption of Sechium edule (cidra papa) and/or Bactris gasipaes (chontaduro) in Palmira and Cartago in Valle del Cauca, and San José del Palmar in Chocó, Colombia. The data were collected under the Power of Diversity Funding Facility (PDFF) project, implemented in Colombia by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. PDFF is a Crop Trust-managed initiative focused on conserving, cultivating, and promoting relatively neglected opportunity crops across different regions.

The dataset includes household location, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, household engagement in the production or collection of the focal crops, household-level consumption patterns, seasonal availability, consumption frequency during abundance and scarcity periods, and affordability-related constraints. It also includes individual-level information on whether the respondent had ever consumed cidra papa and chontaduro and, for those reporting prior consumption, their consumption of the focal crops in the previous seven days, including whether the crops were consumed, number of days consumed, place of consumption, form or recipe consumed, preparation location, and reported quantities prepared and consumed.

A structured knowledge, attitudes, and perceived constraints module was also administered for both crops. This module covers respondents’ knowledge and perceptions of the nutritional and health relevance, cultural importance, food security and income role, availability, preparation, processing, and promotion of cidra papa and chontaduro. The data support analyses of crop-specific consumption patterns, seasonal and affordability-related variation in consumption, household engagement with focal crops, and local knowledge and perceptions of neglected and underutilized species in selected Colombian municipalities.
Methodology:Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire administered to household respondents responsible for food preparation. Data collection took place from 6 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. The questionnaire captured household demographic and socio-economic characteristics, crop production or collection, household consumption patterns, seasonal availability, consumption frequency, and affordability-related constraints for Sechium edule (cidra papa) and/or Bactris gasipaes (chontaduro).

Individual-level consumption was assessed through an initial crop-specific question on whether the respondent had ever consumed cidra papa and chontaduro, followed by a 7-day module focused on the respondent’s own recent consumption. Respondents who reported prior consumption were asked whether they had consumed each crop in the previous seven days and, where applicable, the number of days consumed, whether consumption occurred at home or outside the home, the form or recipe in which the crop was consumed, whether it was prepared at home or outside the home, and the reported quantities prepared and consumed. A structured knowledge, attitudes, and perceived constraints module was administered to assess awareness, beliefs, perceptions, and barriers related to the nutritional value, health relevance, cultural significance, food security role, income potential, availability, preparation, processing, and promotion of the focal crops.

Prior to data collection, the study protocol, questionnaire, and written informed consent form were reviewed and approved through the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Institutional Review Board (IRB) process. Respondents were provided with the written informed consent form and participated only after providing written consent.