First and Second Generation Research Efforts on Commoditising Indigenous Fruit Tree Crops in Southern Africa

Akinnifesi, Festus K.; Mng’omba, Simon A.; Sileshi, G.; Ajayi, Oluyede C.; Mhango, Jarret

doi:10.17660/actahortic.2009.806.79

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…This should include fewer restrictions to transportation and market regulations on these products. This should include the provision of micro-credits for indigenous fruit treebased enterprises [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Value addition and processed products of three indigenous fruits in Namibia

Cheikhyoussef¹,

Bille²,

Nambabi³

2013

AJFAND

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The objectives of this study were to add value to three popular indigenous fruits found in Namibia namely, Marula (Sclerocarya birrea), Monkey orange (Strychnos cocculoides) and Eembe (Berchemia discolour) into processed food products and to train rural communities on value addition for job creation, income generation and food security. Indigenous fruits are receiving increasing interests from researchers and scholars because of their nutrition and abundance in most African countries. The fruits are important sources of food for rural communities especially at times of food shortage, hunger and other disasters. In addition, they provide enormous health benefits such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are also known to create jobs and generate income for rural communities. Because of their role in combating food insecurity, nutrition and the problems of seasonality, studies on their value addition were carried out in Namibia. Different types of food products were made from the fruits namely; juice, jam, jelly and muffins (cakes). A pilot study was carried out to determine the levels and preference range of ingredients in the mix to formulate recipes of the products prior to processing and training the community members. The results were subjected to paired preference tests and the best ratio was then used. According to consumer preference test, marula juice was on the lower value (2.3) due to its low pH (3.26). As for jam and jelly; quality, taste and colour were acceptable and preferred. The three products made from monkey orange were all preferred but those from eembe were downgraded (2.31-3.20) due to dark colour and lack of flavour. The microbiological quality of the produced products confirmed their safety characteristics. The products made in this study were shown to be viable, of good quality and good sources of income for rural communities. The fruit flavour from marula and monkey orange can be utilized in the dairy and other soft drink industries for making yoghurts, sour milk, ice cream, juices and jams.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Value addition and processed products of three indigenous fruits in Namibia

Cheikhyoussef¹,

Bille²,

Nambabi³

2013

AJFAND

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“…Forestry harvested food items, nuts and indigenous fruits can greatly reduce vulnerability to hunger and malnutrition among rural inhabitants. Considering that many rural inhabitants are poor and cannot afford the cost of allopathic medicines, forests are crucial for medicinal products including bark, bulbs, leaves and roots (Akinnifesi et al, 2007;Gqaleni et al, 2007).…”

Section: Importance Of Forestry and Conservation Forestry To South Af...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Systemic challenges hindering the flow of sustainable forestry knowledge among smallholder farmers in South Africa

Dandira¹

2023

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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South African democratic governments instituted several policies aimed at developing the capabilities of smallholder foresters to ensure economic inclusion and rural development. Skills development to build smallholder capabilities was deemed necessary to improve productivity, food security and conserve forestry resources. However, systemic blockages within the South African skills system hinder skills development, knowledge and technological flows to smallholders. This study assessed the systemic blockages hindering forestry skills formation and knowledge flows in the South African provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. In-depth interviews were conducted with policy practitioners, skills researchers, forestry organisations, and smallholder foresters. The interviews covered issues about alignment in government departments, extension curricula, linkages and interactions between skills institutions, extension officers and smallholders and other economic agents. Thematic analysis established that systemic blockages within the South African skills systems emanate from the lack of policy implementation resulting from the misalignment in government departments. Weak linkages and interactions between policymakers, researchers, extension officers and smallholders and traditional institutions also limit interactions, sharing and co-generation of skills and knowledge for application by smallholders. This paper recommends monitoring mechanisms to ensure interactive and coordinated implementation of forestry and innovation policies for knowledge to flow to smallholders.

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