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: 
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
Notes: 

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