Indigenous African Orphan Legumes: Potential for Food and Nutrition Security in SSA

Abberton, Michael T.; Paliwal, Rajneesh; Faloye, Benjamin; Marimagne, Tchamba; Moriam, Azeez; Oyatomi, Olaniyi

doi:10.3389/fsufs.2022.708124

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 157 publications

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“…The growth of the agrifood processing industry in Ethiopia, centered around indigenous crops like tef, reflects a similar pattern seen in other African countries [9]. However, despite their potential to address malnutrition, enhance productivity, and improve profitability, the value chain of African indigenous crops, including tef, is understudied, leading to their classification as "orphan, neglected, or underutilized crops" [10,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

What Is the Possibility of Commercializing African Indigenous Crops?—The Case of Ethiopia

Ochieng

Cho

2023

Sustainability

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Africa has a rich diversity of indigenous crops whose commercial and economic value have been underutilized. Eragrostis tef is a crop with great potential for production and commercialization in Ethiopia. The nutritional and curative values of tef are recognized not only in Ethiopia but also in the global market. Economically, tef and its value chain are a source of livelihood for more than six million small-scale Ethiopian farmers. Its large-scale commercialization has the potential to transform the livelihoods of many impoverished people. However, little research has been conducted to assess Ethiopian consumers’ attitudes toward tef products. The objective of this study is to understand product attributes that would affect consumer purchasing decisions. The study is based on pasta and baby food, the two most important products that could be made out of tef. The attributes analyzed are the inclusion of tef in the products, price, organic certification, and brand origin. The study relies on survey data that were randomly collected from 318 respondents and secondary data from the central statistical agency. The attributes were subjected to conjoint analysis, a method that is commonly used in consumer market research with hypothetical products consisting of multiple attributes to understand customers’ preference for different components of the product. The results of the analysis show that the inclusion of tef flour in the products is the most important factor consumers would consider when buying pasta or baby food. Further, consumers are interested in brand origin as they have a strong inclination to buy domestic brands and prefer products with organic certification. In the case of baby food, Ethiopians are likely to buy products containing more tef flour, packaged in sealed can rather than a paper bag, and concentrated in iron or protein. However, they are less willing to pay a premium even for products they perceive to be of greater utility. The preference for domestic brands and processed food with tef implies that there is opportunity for local brands to grow if they can understand and satisfy consumer expectations. It also means that consumers are interested in business practices that promote sustainable livelihoods. Overall, these findings suggest the potential for commercialization of tef products in Ethiopia and that the development of its value chain could combat nutritional deficiencies in the country.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

What Is the Possibility of Commercializing African Indigenous Crops?—The Case of Ethiopia

Ochieng

Cho

2023

Sustainability

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“…The amino acids found in these legumes are valuable in boosting the immune system, regulating metabolic processes, and enhancing glucose and fatty-acid metabolism (Tjahjadi et al, 1988;Semba et al, 2021;Ayilara et al, 2022). Numerous studies, including those conducted by Gohara et al (2016), Nnamani et al (2017), Baiyeri et al (2018), Adegboyega et al (2020), andAbberton et al (2022), have documented the functions of various vitamins and minerals.…”

Section: Nutritional Properties Of Nulsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional, functional, and bioactive properties of african underutilized legumes

et al. 2023

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Globally, legumes are vital constituents of diet and perform critical roles in maintaining well-being owing to the dense nutritional contents and functional properties of their seeds. While much emphasis has been placed on the major grain legumes over the years, the neglected and underutilized legumes (NULs) are gaining significant recognition as probable crops to alleviate malnutrition and give a boost to food security in Africa. Consumption of these underutilized legumes has been associated with several health-promoting benefits and can be utilized as functional foods due to their rich dietary fibers, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), proteins/essential amino acids, micro-nutrients, and bioactive compounds. Despite the plethora of nutritional benefits, the underutilized legumes have not received much research attention compared to common mainstream grain legumes, thus hindering their adoption and utilization. Consequently, research efforts geared toward improvement, utilization, and incorporation into mainstream agriculture in Africa are more convincing than ever. This work reviews some selected NULs of Africa (Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis), African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), Kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), Marama bean (Tylosema esculentum), Mung bean, (Vigna radiata), Rice bean (Vigna Umbellata), and Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)), and their nutritional, and functional properties. Furthermore, we highlight the prospects and current challenges associated with the utilization of the NULs and discusses the strategies to facilitate their exploitation as not only sources of vital nutrients, but also their integration for the development of cheap and accessible functional foods.

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“…Moreover, the launch of the Society for Underutilized Legume (SUL-www.sulegumes.org) was another outcome of the symposium. The Center currently conserves a diverse collection of over 450 accessions of the African yam bean landraces from Ghana, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; in addition, over 50% of these accessions are from Nigeria (Abberton et al, 2022).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity still stare at our faces because of the great and appreciated efforts of improvement on a few crops (Williams and Haq, 2002;Ikhajiagbe et al, 2021) which have not overturned the complex food challenges, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing world. To address this, according to Abberton et al (2022), crop diversification, cultivation, promotion, and utilization of climate-resilient crops are among the choicest strategies.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction to food, feed, and health wealth in African yam bean, a locked-in African indigenous tuberous legume

Adewale¹,

Nnamani²

2022

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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The African yam bean, Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst Ex. A. Richmond, Harms, is an indigenous tuberous legume of the humid tropics of Africa. Its edible pulse and tuber host significant promises for food, nutrition, and health security. It was identified as a counterpart of cowpea in the 1970s and rated to be highly nutritious, but notable constraints have denied it research and funding attention. “Cowpea revolution” further deprived focus on the African yam bean. However, some research updated and promoted its significant food, feed, and nutritional-pharmaceutical values between 1973 and 2000. The global trend for food diversification has further improved awareness and research on the African yam bean this past decade, but research focus on the tuber is incomparably small. The abundant minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds in the two economic products unveiled in the present review assure food, health, and nutritional security. The analytical comparison of nutritional values of the African yam beans and other grain legumes demonstrated the significant place of the crop among its counterparts. Furthermore, investigative research identified the grain as a good substitute for soybean for livestock feed formulations. Although no clinical study has been reported, some in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo biological activities and human studies of the two economic products revealed their efficacy in the management of anti-natal lactation induction, anemia, diabetes, arthritis, etc. However, African yam bean still suffer displacement in rank, utilization, and popularity compared to the “favored” legumes. While the present review adds to its advocacy, awareness, and utilization, a coordinated research program that will boost its value chain is most necessary for progress.

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Indigenous African Orphan Legumes: Potential for Food and Nutrition Security in SSA

Cited by 6 publications

References 157 publications

What Is the Possibility of Commercializing African Indigenous Crops?—The Case of Ethiopia

What Is the Possibility of Commercializing African Indigenous Crops?—The Case of Ethiopia

Nutritional, functional, and bioactive properties of african underutilized legumes

Introduction to food, feed, and health wealth in African yam bean, a locked-in African indigenous tuberous legume

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