https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Baobab_tree_-near_Sand_River_Selous,_Selous_Game_Reserve,_Tanzania-8.jpg
B
AOFOOD, an international
research project led by
Rhine-Waal University of
Applied Sciences and conducted in collaboration with research institutions, NGOs and industry in Germany, Kenya, Sudan,
Malawi and the UK, is off to a successful start. The project, which is
funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
(BMEL), is dedicated to improving
and ensuring the food supply in
Eastern Africa through the unique
baobab tree.
Kleve/Kamp-Lintfort, 8 June 2016:
The baobab tree, also known as the
monkey-bread-tree, is an iconic tree
native to many regions of Africa.
The fruits, leaves and other parts of
the tree are not only edible, but are
also loaded with important vitamins, trace minerals and antioxidants. In 2008 the dried pulp harvested from baobab fruit was first
approved for sale in the European
Union and has already seen a remarkable growth in popularity. But
the true brilliance of the baobab
tree isn’t in Europe, but rather in
Eastern Africa, regions suffering
from poverty and underdevelopment. The baobab tree has the potential to make a permanent, positive contribution to the critical food
supply situation in these regions as
well as create a viable new economic industry for the local population.
Until now, however, the commercial use of baobab-based products
has been hindered by scarcity, inconsistent quality in plant materials,
a lack of cultivation and processing
technology, and underdeveloped
market chains.
This is where BAOFOOD comes in.
The project goal is clearly outlined
in its full title: “Enhancing local
food security and nutrition through
promoting the use of Baobab
(Adansonia digitata L.) in rural communities in Eastern Africa”. This
translates to project researchers
finding new solutions for the exploitation, processing and marketing of baobab products to unlock
the potential of the baobab tree
and ultimately ensure a steady and
adequate food supply for the project region.
Planned research activities will
touch on all parts of the value
chain, from biological and ecological enquiries into the baobab tree,
to the production and marketing of
baobab foodstuffs and products. By
scientifically assessing and documenting the geographical range of
baobab tree species, researchers
aim to preserve and protect the
baobab tree as a natural resource,
while at the same time developing
viable recommendations for the
sustainable cultivation and domestication of the baobab for commercial use. Researchers are also keen
on both analysing and improving
the nutritional value of baobab fruit
through modern scientific methods
and traditional processing techniques. As a core objective, the improvement of the living situation of
people in the project region, researchers will also be investigating