Agriculture

Baobab – the Comeback of the super fruit

In many countries of origin, they are out of fashion. But now the Baobab fruit to conquer the international markets and to provide income for the poor people in the country.

The last rain was a long time ago. The people in Chiswiti, a village in the area around Mount Darwin in the North-East of Zimbabwe, are experiencing a
for more drought. Shorty Kanzou, who is called mayor “Chief Chiswiti“, is glad that here strong Baobabs of the drought. He reaches for a fruit and chips. “Some fruits have slightly sweet pulp, while others are sour. The acidic fruits remained in the early days in the Bush.”

The change now, he says, and beams. Because of the often ancient trees with metre-thick trunks of the increasingly international attention. Outside of Africa, people are interested in the “super fruit”. The fruit powder, which is hidden under the thick peel, is rich in healthy contents and conquered the international markets.

Great Inhaltsmix, regulating effect

Recent research results reveal, what did people in Africa use of for centuries: The fruit powder contains more calcium than milk, more Magnesium than Avocados, more potassium than bananas and more Vitamin C than oranges. The fibre content, it surpasses Apples. Also be content of antioxidants is high. Various B-vitamins, Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids as well as iron complement the image.

Especially women benefit from the trade

The powder can even more: with its probiotic properties, it has a positive effect on the intestinal flora. Traditional medicine has used it for diarrhoea and other intestinal diseases. Regulatory effect the Baobab powder in Diabetes and heart unfolds-vascular diseases – diseases of civilization, are for years in African countries is on the rise. Traditionally, the powder was mixed with water and is suffering from Malaria, to reduce Fever can be administered.

New Lifestyle away from the ‘hunger food’

In spite of all its advantages, the fruit of the Baobab’s hard to find in domestic markets. Blame it on globalization, Ecologist and entrepreneur, Gus Le Breton, since the 1990s, in Zimbabwe home says: “A Stigma attaches to the consumption of anything that has a rural Background”. If you can afford it, prefer to buy soft drinks and Fast Food – even in the remotest corners of the country.

On the trees the fruits also survive droughts

“People don’t look at Baobab as important, because you have the fruit taste better and easier to get,” says the South African Ecologist Sarah Venter. “You prefer to eat an Apple or an Orange instead of a Baobab-fruit.”

To the damage of the image of the “Mauyu”, such as the Baobab fruit in Zimbabwe to be called, even their qualities, Because they are easy to store and over the years to keep, help you over some of the drought period. The downside: Whoever eats the Baobab, it is still considered as poor.

Get out of poverty

A true treasure of gold growing directly in front of the door. Because of the increasing international demand creates new markets. Gus Le Breton has recognized this. His company, B’Ayoba specialises in distributing Baobab international. So the tree of the poor people of the country serves as a source of income. In 2000, Baobab Sammlerinen B’Ayoba in Zimbabwe. Since Recently also collect people from Chiswiti for the company. A little bit of money from the sale to help the women tremendously, says Chief Chiswiti.”If you get only a Dollar, you can afford a little bit of sugar or salt. Some old people have no children, you can go to the Hand. But, you can even go in the Bush and Baobab fruits to collect.”

For the women in rural areas, the Baobab is a welcome source of income

Fran Patsika works in Harare in the management of B’Ayoba. It is a work that makes you passionate. Also, because the Collecting of the fruit is mostly a women’s issue: “The women here care about the care of the children. They ensure that the children get an education and that you go to the doctor when they are sick.” If the women benefit, it benefits the whole of society.

Real-organic – by nature

You generate income without having to invest money. This fruit powder dries naturally on the tree. Expensive equipment, fertilizer, or pesticides are not necessary for the women to collect the fruits directly from the ground. So they are, by nature, “Bio-Food”.

The rising international demand given the “Mauyu” in the countries of origin, more attention, and leads slowly but surely to a renewed awareness of change. The health-promoting properties of the fruit back into focus. Thus, for example, in Kenya, initiatives, the Baobab lemonade as a healthy drink for children in schools.