Book Chapters

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Browsing Book Chapters by browse.metadata.cluster "Advanced Agriculture & Food"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Catalyzing global reach: Innovative strategies for Baobab and Marula Expansion
    (Into Publishing, 2025) Togarepi, C; Raheem, D; Egbadzor, KF; Horlu, GSA; Dlamini, Nomusa C; Adefila, A; Pratiwi, A
    Baobab and marula have been used for centuries by African communities to provide economic benefits. In this chapter, we explore the commercialization strategies of baobab and marula tree byproducts intended for local, regional, and international markets by delving into what sets them apart from other tree-based products. We examine the perception of baobab and marula across different market segments and highlight successful marketing strategies used by businesses of varying sizes. As consumers increasingly seek natural and organic products, the opportunities for these commodities in the international market are immense. We hope that this chapter will provide an insight into the potential and already realised success stories of these versatile superfoods, shedding light on the value chain and marketing tactics that have been and could be employed to bring them to the market.
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    Food loss in the sweet potato value chain: A food and nutrition security threat in South Africa
    (2025-05) Motsa, NM; Laurie, SM; Finiza, Tabisa N; Makhuvha, MC; Mashitoa, MF
    South Africa is food secure at national level, but not at household level. Some communities experience food shortages for a certain period during the month or for a period during the year. This is a food security threat to the community, as long as food loss and waste is not given the attention it deserves. Food loss mostly takes place at post-harvest and throughout the value chain until it reaches the consumer. Sweet potatoes are not spared from such losses. These losses tend to undermine the impact of sweet potato as a food security crop. This study was conducted to determine sweet potato food loss experienced at different stages of the value chain. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a number of entities that are involved in the sweet potato food value chain and have purchased sweet potato material from the Agricultural Research Council. These entities were located in four provinces of the country where sweet potato is mostly produced and processed. Moreover, these entities were involved in at least one post-harvest (value chain) activity. The results indicated that small-scale sweet potato producers sold sweet potato to the local informal market while commercial producers with washing facilities, pack-houses and distributor licenses were supplying established formal markets. Sweet potato processing was done by commercial entities only, not smallscale entities. Sweet potato food loss was experienced throughout the food value chain beginning from crop growth where poor weed management and pest attack was observed. Sweet potato breakages and skinning were predominantly experienced during the post-harvest stage. “Out of specification” losses were experienced at packing and distribution stage while at processing stage, losses were through peeling and removal of insect bites/lesions. No losses were reported at the storage of processed sweet potato stage because entities had well established infrastructure to prevent losses. Processing of sweet potato and other crops reduces food loss and further strengthens the agrifood system and extends shelf-life of food crops to provide food and nutrition security.
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    Land use induced land cover changes and future scenarios in extent of Miombo woodland and Dambo ecosystems in the Copperbelt province of Zambia
    (2021-08) Malunga, MM; Cho, Moses A; Chirwa, PW; Yerokun, OA
    The pattern of Miombo woodland conversion to other land uses and the attendant impacts on vital Miombo ecosystems such as dambos is not well understood. Using the Copperbelt province of Zambia as a case study, we assessed the spatio-temporal patterns of Miombo woodland and dambo conversion to other land uses between 1984 and 2016 and predicted the changes to 2050. The effects of land use land cover change (LULCC) on the extent of Miombo woodlands and dambos was determined by intersecting layers of croplands, settlements, plantations, grasslands and barelands on woodland and dambo pixels. Prediction of future LULCC was done using the land change modeller (LCM) in TerrSet. It was observed that in the period between 1984 and 2016, woodlands decreased by 17.9% while dambos increased by 4.9%. The two classes were predicted to lose 26.4% and 2.0%, respectively, by 2050. Conversion to cropland was the highest contributor to woodland loss, accounting for 57.5% of total loss by 2016, and projected to reach 67.6% by 2050. Similarly, establishment of cropland was shown to result into 53.5% (2016) and 58.9% (2050) of loss of dambos. Expansion of croplands caused a decline in woodlands and dambos. Therefore, sustainable agriculture should be adopted.
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    Nutritional value, biochemical properties and health benefits of Baobab
    (Into Publishing, 2025-07) Akuaku, J; Gwamba, J; Dlamini, Nomusa R; Raheem, D; Tjiurutue, MJ; Kahaka, G; Bultosa, G; Cheikhyoussef, A
    Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is an indigenous African tree greatly valued for its numerous different non-timber products, shade and as a component in various agroforestry-, agroecology and mixed-farming practices. Baobab fruit pulp, seeds, leaves, flowers and roots are consumed by many different African communities. In the present climate change scenario, baobab will have a significant role in carbon sequestration to mitigate global warming, as well as in supporting food and nutrition security and income generation for the sub-Saharan regions. Because of their functional bioactive ingredients, baobab-based foods can also play an important role in public health and disease prevention. Different parts of baobab are increasingly used by the food processing industry in the development of functional foods, food supplements and nutraceuticals for the global market.
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    Nutritional value, biochemical properties and health benefits of Marula
    (Into Publishing, 2025-07) Dlamini, Nomusa R; Akuaku, J; Gwamba, J; Raheem, D; Tjiurutue, MC; Kahaka, G; Bultosa, G; Cheikhyoussef, A
    Marula is among the indigenous fruit trees that were selected for domestication in Southern Africa region, to improve people's nutritional status and well-being through the development of products with commercialization potential. Marula-based products have also major potential to improve human health.