Abstract
The African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is a multipurpose orphan tree species of the semi-arid and sub-humid Sub-Saharan Africa where it plays an important role in rural livelihoods. Its wide distribution and dense nutrition properties make it an important species for food and nutrition security in Africa. However, despite the increasing interest in the species over the past two decades, the full potential of baobab remains underexploited. This review highlights strides made over the past 20 years (2001–2020) towards harnessing and unlocking the potential values of baobab in Benin, West Africa, to contribute to food and nutrition security. Challenges and threats are identified, and next steps suggested to guide research and development initiatives for orphan tree fruit species like baobab to address hunger and malnutrition in Africa.
Highlights
Despite their status, orphan species, which are popularly known as neglected and underutilised species (NUS) (Jamnadass et al, 2020), are treasure troves for livelihood improvement in the developing countries (Jamnadass et al, 2011; Tadele, 2019; Ulian et al, 2020)
The findings provide a strong argument for in situ conservation of baobab populations to preserve the genetic integrity of the species for posterity
The author further states that the principal aim of a value chain analysis in this regard is to elicit patterns of value addition and identify actors and domains of valueappropriation while showing responses to increased harvesting and scarcity of the resource
Summary
Orphan species, which are popularly known as neglected and underutilised species (NUS) (Jamnadass et al, 2020), are treasure troves for livelihood improvement in the developing countries (Jamnadass et al, 2011; Tadele, 2019; Ulian et al, 2020). The growing recognition in the use of orphan species to address local challenges (Borelli et al, 2020), coupled with the increasing urgent need for transformation towards healthy diets and sustainable agro-ecosystems (Willett et al, 2019; Vermeulen et al, 2020), points to increasing attention and utilisation of orphan species This is could lead to the improvement of both the ecological and human well-being in Africa, where a substantial diversity of orphan species is found. This study is a review of the work carried out on baobab in the last 20 years (2001–2020) in Benin, West Africa It aims to guide research and development agenda in harnessing and unlocking the potential benefits of baobab to address food and nutrition insecurity, contributing to the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 2) and Agenda 2063 aspirations in Africa (Aspiration 1). The study attempted to consider the food system dimensions (Timmer, 2014), namely, access, availability, utilisation, and sustainability of baobab resources
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