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Bambara nut: A review of utlisation, market potential and crop improvement
Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) originated in West Africa but has become widely distributed throughout the semi-arid zone of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Sharing a high nutritive value with other widely consumed legumes, bambara has an appealing flavour which is reflected in demand f...
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Published in: | African crop science journal 2012-04, Vol.20 (1) |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article |
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Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) originated in West
Africa but has become widely distributed throughout the semi-arid zone
of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Sharing a high nutritive value with other
widely consumed legumes, bambara has an appealing flavour which is
reflected in demand from small local and niche markets. Despite its
high and balanced protein content, bambara remains under-utilised
because it takes a long time to cook, contains anti-nutritional factors
and does not dehull easily. Bambara yields well under conditions which
are too arid for groundnut ( Arachis hypogea ), maize ( Zea mays L.)
and even sorghum ( Sorghum bicolar ). Its drought tolerance makes
bambara a useful legume to include in climate change adaptation
strategies. Existing bambara products are not well promoted in the
local or international markets and new products are needed that
highlight its inherent nutritional and culinary advantages. A number of
projects on bambara, involving several countries in SSA since the
1980s, have failed to stimulate a sustainable increase in the
production of the crop. The absence of functioning value chains has
been a factor in this failure, as accessible market outlets might
provide the required incentive for smallholder households to obtain
improved seed and invest more of their land and labour in the crop.
There is little documented evidence of trade in bambara but
circumstantial evidence indicates considerable international demand.
More attention should be given, therefore, to market research and
development, with crop improvement programmes being more market-led, if
bambara is to make a greater contribution to household income and rural
development in SSA. |
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ISSN: | 1021-9730 2072-6589 |