Assessment of Neglected and Under-Utilized Crop Species of African Horned Melon in Zambia

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in neglected and under-utilized crop species (NUS) throughout the world, reflecting a growing trend within agriculture to identify and develop new crops for export and domestic markets. Interest in NUS stems from a variety of factors, including their contribution to agricultural diversification and better use of land, their economic potential and the opportunities they provide for diet diversification. The main objective was to assess the economic and nutritional value of neglected and utilized crop species of African horned melon in Zambia. The study used the qualitative research design and descriptive, using desk review to collect secondary data from various literature on neglected and under-utilized crops species of African horned melon. In conclusion, the findings reveal that the African horned melon has nutritional value consisting numerous vitamins and antioxidants which are beneficial to health living of humans and will contribute and broaden food diversity and nutritional among rural and urban communities of Zambia. The crop will promote healthy living among Zambian citizen to overcome malnutrition and obesity. Further, African horned melon is a climate change crop that will enhancing rural resiliency and climate smart agriculture activities in many areas. Communities must be trained and have knowledge experience of farmer-to-farmer capacity building in rural areas of Zambia.