Agriculture Reference
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and thus enhance food security in times of hunger (Akinnifesi
et al
., 2004). The
ranking of products made from various fresh fruits differs among areas and
countries and is influenced by different preferences among women, youth and
vendors (Ham and Akinnifesi, 2006). The investment in processing methods
also affects the choice of preferred products. Except for items produced by
processing on the homestead, cottage and medium scales, products based on
indigenous fruits are rare in southern Africa. This is largely because of the lack
of a sustainable supply of indigenous fruits, inadequate technical information
on technologies, and the lack of quantitative information on the market
potential of the products and any assessment of the potential benefits to
farmers (Saka, 1994; Dietz, 1999; Ramadhani, 2002). What is therefore
needed is the development of technologies for processing fruits and a market
strategy that will provide basic marketing support, including infrastructure and
information on what to produce and where to sell it.
Local communities in southern Africa process different indigenous fruits into
various products, such as juices, jams/jellies and alcoholic beverages, e.g. wines
and beers (Fig. 16.1). Some of these products have become commercialized at
local, regional and international levels. Examples of commercial alcoholic
beverages from indigenous fruits include Chikoto beer (from
Uapaca
), Amarula
Cream from
Sclerocarya birrea
(marula) in South Africa,
Ziziphus
and marula
wines in Zambia and
Uapaca
wines in Malawi, which have reached consumers
with varying levels of success (Ham and Akinnifesi, 2006). The South African
Jam
'Chiminimini'
Dried fruit/powder
Ice-cream
Food seasoning
Butter and sweets
'Thobwa'
(sweet beer)
Kachasu (spirit)
Fresh fruits
Coffee
Wine
Porridge
Yoghurt
Juice
Fig. 16.1.
Summary of some products from indigenous and exotic fruits in southern Africa.
Source: Saka
et al
. (2004).
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