Encouraging The Consumption Of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) Products can reduce hidden hunger in Nigeria

ENCOURAGING THE CONSUMPTION OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Vigna

subterranea) PRODUCTS CAN REDUCE HIDDEN HUNGER IN NIGERIA

By:ATOYEBI, O.J., ABBERTON, M., OYATOMI, O. A.

OSILESI, O. and ADEBAWO, O .O.

Introduction

• Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an annual, creeping legume with glabrous, trifoliate leaves.

• It is cultivated primarily for its seeds, which are used as human food. In Africa, it is the third most commonly eaten legume after groundnut and cowpea (Omoikhoje, 2008).

Introduction contd.,

• However, it belongs to the class of NUS.

• It could be regarded as a complete food.

• Hence could help reduce malnutrition, ravaging developing country like Nigeria

Nutritional importance

• BG contains • 60% carbohydrate, • 20% protein, • 6% oil • However, the crop is also rich in important micronutrients

like zinc (0.81mg), iron (2.51mg), phosphorous (0.21mg), calcium (2.19mg) e.t.c., per 100g of the nut.

• (Abdusalam and Sheriff, 2010).

BG Food products

Cooked BG beans with oil and fish

BG food pdts. contd.

‘okpa’ common in eastern Nigeria

BG food pdts contd.

Voanjobory sy henakisoa, a traditional dish in Madagascar made of Bambara groundnut (groundpea, pea) cooked with pork.

BG food pdts. Contd.

BG food pdts. contd.,

Bambara Groundnut Milk

Promoting Utilisation

• Promoting BG food products utilisation and consumption involves a wholistic approach.

• i.e Government policy / research interest; linked to public – private interest.

• Improved value chain for the crop.

• Adequate awareness and importance.

BG Utilisation constraintss

• Hardness of the seeds.

• Long cooking time.

• Anti-nutrient factors.

• A NUS species.

Conclusion

• BG is a good source of fibre, calcium, iron and potassium. The red seeds could be useful in areas where there is iron deficiency.

• It also contains other essential amino acids as well as important micronutrients.

Conclusion

BG and its products, due to its immense nutrient potentials, if well utilised, can serve as a future crop that can assist developing countries, towards solving the problems of malnutrition and food insufficiency.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING