The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants.This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Food Science and Value Addition
Nutritional value of Grewia Flavescens: Implications for Household Food Security in Northeastern Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Abstract:
Grewia flavescens A. Juss, commonly known as donkey berry
is an under-utilised wild plant species in Ethiopia. It is used for
food and fodder for humans and livestock, respectively.
Agricultural expansion and increased frequencies of drought
are reducing areas under G. flavescens. A quantitative
ethnobotanical study of G. flavescens was undertaken in six
areas of east Shewa, Ethiopia. Both structured questionnaire
and focus-group interviews were conducted with about 120
households to collect information to facilitate formulation of
policies for conservation and optimal utilisation of this plant.
Tissue analysis of this plant revealed that the species has
substantial nutrients including , Fe (8.84-9.52), Zn ( 0.11-0.31),
P (95.535-96.537), Ca (179.11-180.750), Na (7.61-8.415), K
(103.8-105.5), Mg ( 51.53-52.535), Mn (17.812-18.235) and
Cu (0.0025-0.112) mg per 100g dry mattes basis.Amounts of
these nutrients significantly (P<0.05) varied between
transhumance and settled farming land use systems. It is
recommended that research and policy support be put in place
to exploit the potential of this nutrient rich plant species.
Grewia flavescens A. Juss, communément connu sous le nom
de baie de l’âne est une espèce de plante sauvage sous-utilisée
en Ethiopie. Elle est utilisée comme nourriture et fourrage pour
les humains et le bétail, respectivement. L’expansion agricole
et les fréquences accrues de la sécheresse réduisent les régions
sous G. flavescens. Une étude ethnobotanique quantitative de
G. flavescens a été entreprise dans six régions de l’Est de
Shewa, en Ethiopie. A la fois le questionnaire structuré et les
interviews dans les groupes de discussion ont été menés auprèsd’environ 120 ménages pour recueillir des informations afin de
faciliter la formulation des politiques pour la conservation et
l’utilisation optimale de cette plante. L’analyse des tissus de
cette plante a révélé que l’espèce a des éléments nutritifs
importants, y compris, Fe (8,84 - 9,52), Zn (0,11- 0,31), P ( 95,535
- 96,537), Ca (179.11 - 180.750), Na (7,61 - 8,415), K (103.8 -
105.5), mg (51.53 - 52.535), Mn (17.812 - 18.235) et Cu (0,0025
- 0,112) mg par 100g de matière sèche de base. Les quantités
de ces éléments nutritifs ont varié de façon significative (P <0,05)
entre la transhumance et les systèmes établis d’utilisation des
terres agricoles. Il est recommandé que la recherche et le
soutien politique soient mis en place pour exploiter le potentiel
de cette espèce de plante riche en éléments nutritifs.
Language:
English
Extended abstracts submitted under Food Science and Value Addition
Date of publication:
2012
Country:
Region Focus:
East Africa
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
Notes: