Millet is an extremely old crop, possibly the first cereal grain that was domesticated by early farmers. It is thought to have been grown as early as 5500 BC in China and perhaps even earlier in other regions like Africa and India where it grew as a wild plant. Millet is mentioned in the Bible (Ezekiel 4:9). Some research also indicates that early man cultivated millet in Switzerland during …
Velvet tamarind (Dalium guineense) belongs to the genus Dalium and to the family of leguminosae. Legumes are good sources of protein and energy. Legumes are nutritionally useful for both human and animal consumption and also for improvement of soil fertility. It is found in Ghana, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam and …
The African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) is a fruit native to West Africa and is particularly prolific in Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana. It occurs seasonally in West Africa between the months of December to April, and is known by a few names; Alansa, Agbalumo, Udara, Udala etc. Traditionally, the fruits are not …
African Star Apple Fruit (Chrysophyllum albidum) Read More »
Xylopia aethiopica is an evergreen, aromatic tree, of the Annonaceae family that can grow up to 20m high. It is a native to the lowland rain forest and moist fringe forests in the savanna zones of Africa. The dried fruits of X. aethiopica (grains of Selim) are used as a spice and an herbal medicine. …
Rice is a cereal grain which belongs to the grass species Oryza glaberrima (African rice) and Oryza sativa (Asian rice). It is one of the oldest cereal grains in the world and it has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. Rice is the most widely consumed staple food for more than half of the …
Cassava (Manihot esculenta), is a perennial plant, normally cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous roots. The tuberous roots of cassava are a rich source of fibre (soluble and insoluble) and are predominately consumed in a boiled form. The peel of the tuber also serves as food …
Maize (Zea mays) also known as corn is a cereal grain used as livestock feed, as human food, as biofuel, ethanol and as raw material in industry. There are six major types of maize, namely, dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, popcorn, flour corn and sweet corn. Maize is a good source of vitamins (Vitamins …