Potential of indigenous fruit-bearing trees to curb malnutrition, improve household food security, income and community health in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has an estimated annual population growth rate of 2.7% making it the highest globally. More than two thirds of the over 800 million people in the region stay in rural areas where they depend on subsistence agriculture. Socio-economic instability, poor soil fertility and unreliable rainfall result in poor crop yields. This exposes the vulnerable to food insecurity and inadequate nutrient intake. Malnutrition is not restricted to undernutrition as in the urban areas the adoption of diets rich in carbohydrates and fats also poses health problems associated with obesity. Malnutrition causes derangements in the immune system, thereby increasing susceptibility to and severity of infections among the affected population. In SSA, indigenous fruit bearing trees (IFBTs) are treasured sources of macro- and micro-nutrients, and health promoting phytochemicals. The phytochemicals have biological and pharmacological activities that mitigate some of the physiological effects of malnutrition. In this paper, the contribution of IFBTs such as Uapaca kirkiana and Adansonia digitata to household food security, rural economy and community health are highlighted. Examples of community-based projects dependent on fruit from IFBTs are given. Using this evidence the need for unlocking the seemingly hidden potential contribution of the genetically diverse IFBTs to food security is highlighted. In this regard, research should focus on how to tap into health benefits of oils from IFBTs seeds. Residual cakes from oil extraction could be developed into biofuels, bio-fertilisers and animal feed ingredients. Fruit pulp could be exploited to produce more health-promoting natural sweeteners and pectins for industrial use. This beneficiation and value addition of products from IFBTs over and above contributing to the enhancement of household food security and the rural economy would translate into increased community-based sustainable utilisation and conservation of IFBTs.