Farming Native Plants
In Africa
Finger millet:
Finger millet is a native to Africa and can be grown easily in its natural humid African environment and can survive dry season. Finger millet has a high nutritional value and can be used in various foods like porridge, flatbread, beverages and popped millet. India has increased its yield of finger millet by 50 percent over the last 50 years. The seeds can remain fertile for 10 to 50 years and can be harvested after 45 day.
Main Components:
Protein – 7.3
Fats – 1.3
Carbohydrates - 74
Fibre – 3.2
Vitamin A - 6
Vitamin C - 1
Teff:
Teff grows very well under difficult conditions such as unpredictable rainfall and is usually left alone by pests and disease, making it a promising export crop to areas facing food security.
Teffs high nutrient content, rapid cooking time, and versatile applications make it an ideal superfood, teff is quite similar to millet and quinoa. Teff actually makes up a quarter of all cereal crops grown in ethiopia.
Eight different amino acids, including a slightly rare one called lysine, teff can deliver substantial support for growth and development.
The amount of people suffering from Celiac disease continues to rise, it will be important to have alternative options to gluten-containing foods like teff.
Main Components:
- High micronutrient and mineral
-High in iron
-Vitamin B & C
-20-30% starch
High in calcium
African Eggplant:
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Uses for both fruit and leaves.
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African eggplants have proven to be resistant to molds, mildews, and certain soil borne pathogens.
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Leaves high in Vitamin E .
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Leaves are to be boiled and used in soups.
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Fruit 1% protein.
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Leaves 4.8% protein.
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Leaves contain alkaloids possess anti-inflammatory.
- Fruit is either pickled, boiled, and used with other vegetables and meats or eaten raw if wanted.
They can also be grown alongside other crops or in small pots providing a high yield of fruit from a small area. The eggplant is high yielding and easy to grow
