adminEdgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
AMID the growing calls for the country to utilise locally available resources, the Government and private sector have been challenged to champion the commercialisation of indigenous plants in the food, beverage, health and beauty industries.
Independent African plant specialist Mr Gus Le Breton made the call yesterday on the backdrop of a research funded by the Livelihoods and Food Security Programme (LFSP) on indigenous plants in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe is blessed with an exceptional abundance of natural biodiversity whose potential contribution to the national economy has historically been ignored. The growing global consumer interest in sustainably produced indigenous natural plant products is coming to the fore.
“Consumers are increasingly seeking out production systems that are more biodiversity-friendly than industrialised agriculture. They also perceive greater health benefits from natural products, as well as reduced exposure to harmful agro-chemicals,” said Mr Le Breton.
Mr Le Breton added that it was the role of Government, private sector and development partners to establish public private partnerships (PPP) and set up markets to commercialise the indigenous plants, which have tremendous health and nutritional benefits.
There are nearly 6 000 indigenous plant species in Zimbabwe with about 15 percent traditionally used as food or medicinal plants.
However, less than one percent has made it through to commercial use and smallholder agriculture is currently dominated by a very small range of predominantly exotic crops.
On the basis of marketing, ecological, socio-economic and technological features, 25 species were drawn, which generate better and environmentally sustainable financial returns for smallholders, especially those living in the dry agro-ecological four and five regions.
No
Latin
English
Shona
Ndebele
1
Adansonia digitata
Baobab
Muuyu
Umkhono
2
Aloe excelsa
Zimbabwe tree aloe
Chikohwa, gavakava
Imangani
3
Artemesia afra
African wormwood
4
Cenchrus americanus
Pearl millet
Mhunga
Inyawuthi
5
Citrullus lanatus
Kalahari melon
Mashamba
Amajodo
6
Cleome gynandra
Spider plant, spider-wisp
Nyevhe
Ulude
7
Cucumis metuliferus
Jelly melon, horned cucumber, kiwano
Magaka
Umhlagahlaga
8
Cyperus esculentus
Tiger nuts, yellow nutsedge
Pfende
Inqodi
9
Eleusine coracana
Finger millet
Rapoko, zviyo
Uphoko
10
Fadogia ancylantha
Makoni tea
Musvisvinwa
11
Harpagophytum zeyherii
Devil’s claw, grapple
Inkunzane enkulu
12
Hyphaene petersiana/coriacea
Ilala palm
Murara
Ilala
13
Lippia javanica
Fever tea
Zumbani
Umsuzwane
14
Myrothamnus flabellifolia
Resurrection bush
Mufandichimuka
Umafavuke
15
Oryza glaberrima
African rice
Mupunga
Ingqoloyi
16
Parinaric curatellifolia
Mobola plum
Muhacha, muchakata
Umkuna
17
Plectranthus esculentus
Livingstone potato, finger potato
Tsenza
Umbondiwe
18
Schinziophyton rautanenii
Manketti, mongongo
Mungongoma
Umngoma
19
Sclerocarya birrea
Marula
Mupfura, Mutsomo
Umganu
20
Trichilia emetica
Natal mahogany
Muchichiri
21
Uapaca kirkiana
Wild loquat, mahobohobo
Muzhanje
Umhobohobo
22
Vigna subterranean
Nyimo bean, Bambara nut
Nyimo
Imdlubu
23
Vigna unguiculata
Cow pea
Nyemba
Indumba
24
Ximenia caffra
Ximenia
Munhengeni
Umthunduluka
25
Ziziphus mauritiana
Jujube
musau
Women carrying harvested baobab fruits
Plants like the baobab have wooed people with their powdery fruit pulp, which is eaten raw, added to porridge or mixed with water or milk to make a juice. With very high levels of vitamin C, fibre, calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, the nutritional profile of baobab compares favourably with any other superfoods.
There are many potential applications for superfoods in the food and beverage industries.
Aloe excelsa (gavakava) has potent anti-bacterial and antifungal activity, which is vital in wound-healing formulations and skincare. At the same time, the soothing effects of Aloe gel make it a desirable and effective ingredient in burn ointments, sunburn treatment and UV sun-protection formulations.
Gavakava is used in the management and treatment of Type two diabetes, as well as in veterinary medicine, as an anti-coccidial.
Artemesia afra is used in high blood pressure and diabetes treatment while Cleome gynandra (nyevhe) is a source of micro-nutrient vitamins and minerals with potential as a herbal remedy, as well as a tick repellent in veterinary medicine.
It has a respectable balance of vitamins and minerals (vitamin A and C, potassium and zinc), is low in sodium, lipids and carbohydrates and is cholesterol free. The seeds contain a rich oil with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, which help in controlling blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Finger millet is a good source of fibre, micro-nutrients and vitamin containing the highest amount of calcium amongst all the food grains and is exceptionally high in iron, potassium and the B vitamins. It has an extremely low glycaemic index, and epidemiological. Regular consumption of finger millet reduces incidences of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, duodenal ulcer and other gastro-intestinal tract related disorders.
As it operationalises the National Agriculture Policy Framework (NAPF), the Government has is prioritising the commercialisation of traditional grains to reduce drudgery in processing and aiding in food and nutrition security.
Online Reporter