Promoting food security and enhancing Nigeria's small farmers' income through value-added processing of lesser-known and under-utilized indigenous fruits and vegetables

Aworh, O. C.

doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2015.06.003

Cited by 74 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…Underutilized edible wild fruits have become a very important part of human nutrition and cannot be overlooked as far as food security, good health, and income generation are concerned [1,2]. These wild fruits provide humans with very essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, protein, and sugars, as well as health-promoting phytochemicals and minerals [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Characteristics of Four Underutilized Edible Wild Fruits of Dietary Interest in Ghana

Achaglinkame

Aderibigbe

Hensel

et al. 2019

Foods

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Malnutrition has been a serious issue in Ghana and Africa as a whole. However, the potential of many indigenous fruits to combat it has not yet been tested. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the nutritional characteristics of four underutilized wild fruits (Gardenia erubescens, Sclerocarya birrea, Diospyros mespiliformis, and Balanites aegyptiaca) of dietary interest in Ghana. The nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of the fruits were analyzed according to standard methods (laid down by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists and other well-known researchers) on a dry weight (dw) basis. The nutritional value of the fruits was high enough to contribute to the nutrient requirements of humans, with their iron (0.34–1.46 mg/100 g), zinc (0.81–2.97 mg/100 g), vitamin A (0.84–2.03 mg/100 g), and β-carotene (64.84–176.89 mg/100 g) contents worth special mention. The antinutrient content also ranged between 0.06–1.82 mg/g. Therefore, it is evident from the study that the fruits, although containing some levels of antinutrients, are nutrient-dense, suggesting their potency in fighting malnutrition in humans.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Characteristics of Four Underutilized Edible Wild Fruits of Dietary Interest in Ghana

Achaglinkame

Aderibigbe

Hensel

et al. 2019

Foods

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“…However, often no distinction is made between different commercialization strategies. The value addition of NTFP resources via processing and enterprise development deserves particular attention, since it may have more potential to contribute to employment opportunities and income generation [21,[44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]. Despite widespread use for subsistence, more professional NTFP commercialization is often still in its infancy, particularly in the global south [21,52,53].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Processing of Non-Timber Forest Products through Small and Medium Enterprises—A Review of Enabling and Constraining Factors

Meinhold

Darr

2019

Forests

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Research Highlights: This study reviews the available literature on processed non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in order to comprehensively identify relevant factors enabling or constraining their potential to contribute to rural development. Background and Objectives: NTFPs, such as wild foods, medicinal plants, and raw materials for handicrafts, make significant contributions to rural livelihoods. NTFPs can help fulfil households' subsistence and consumption needs, serve as a safety-net in times of crises, and provide cash income. In particular, the processing of NTFPs has often been suggested to positively influence sustainable economic development in rural areas. However, despite rising interest and recognition of the potential contributions of such industries as key sources of employment and their strategic role in overall growth strategies of developing countries, many NTFP processing enterprises remain in the informal sector and an in-depth understanding of the underlying factors is lacking. This review aims to identify enabling and constraining factors affecting NTFP processing enterprises. Materials and Methods: Using systematic review methodology, studies investigating commercialized, processed NTFPs and their economic impacts have been identified and the current evidence base with regard to NTFP processing and small and medium sized enterprise (SME) development synthesized. Results: Despite the diverse nature of NTFPs, a number of constraining and enabling factors affecting NTFP processing and commercialization were identified. The former includes aspects such as the lack of resource access (finances, skills, technologies, etc.), market information, and basic infrastructure; the latter, amongst others, the role of key entrepreneurs; and cooperation across the value chain, amongst producers, and among members of the institutional environment or an abundant resource base. Moving from small-scale NTFP commercialization in local markets to more mature NTFP value chains reaching export markets, the increasing role of cooperation and having a supportive institutional framework in place, becomes apparent. Conclusions: Overall, successful NTFP processing strongly depends on the socio-economic and environmental context in question, requiring a holistic approach tailored to the respective context and value chain.

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“…Most forest foods, however, are still sold unprocessed and undergo limited value-added processing. More local processing to add value to products could, however, have positive effects on income and profits [138,139]. The distribution of benefits, however, depends greatly on the value chain structure and governance, as middlemen or elite traders may inhibit smallholder producers from realizing more benefits.…”

Section: Processing Marketing Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rediscovering the Contributions of Forests and Trees to Transition Global Food Systems

Chamberlain

Darr

Meinhold

2020

Forests

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The importance of forests to safeguard agricultural production through regulating ecosystem services such as clean water, soil protection, and climate regulation is well documented, yet the contributions of forests and trees to provide food for the nutritional needs of the increasing human population has not been fully realized. Plants, fungi, and animals harvested from forests have long provided multiple benefits—for nutrition, health, income, and cultural purposes. Across the globe, the main element of “forest management” has been industrial wood production. Sourcing food from forests has been not even an afterthought but a subordinate activity that just happens and is largely invisible in official statistics. For many people, forests ensure a secure supply of essential foods and vital nutrients. For others, foraging forests for food offers cultural, recreational, and diversified culinary benefits. Increasingly, these products are perceived by consumers as being more “natural” and healthier than food from agricultural production. Forest-and wild-sourced products increasingly are being used as key ingredients in multiple billion dollar industries due to rising demand for “natural” food production. Consumer trends demonstrate growing interests in forest food gathering that involves biological processes and new forms of culturally embedded interactions with the natural world. Further, intensifying calls to “re-orient” agricultural production provides opportunities to expand the roles of forests in food production; to reset food systems by integrating forests and trees. We use examples of various plants, such as baobab, to explore ways forests and trees provide for food security and nutrition and illustrate elements of a framework to encourage integration of forests and trees. Forests and trees provide innovative opportunities and technological and logistical challenges to expand food systems and transition to a bioeconomy. This shift is essential to meet the expanding demand for secure and nutritious food, while conserving forest biodiversity.

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Promoting food security and enhancing Nigeria's small farmers' income through value-added processing of lesser-known and under-utilized indigenous fruits and vegetables

Cited by 74 publications

References 26 publications

Nutritional Characteristics of Four Underutilized Edible Wild Fruits of Dietary Interest in Ghana

Nutritional Characteristics of Four Underutilized Edible Wild Fruits of Dietary Interest in Ghana

The Processing of Non-Timber Forest Products through Small and Medium Enterprises—A Review of Enabling and Constraining Factors

Rediscovering the Contributions of Forests and Trees to Transition Global Food Systems

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