Desert date in Uganda: a dryland tree for food security

Balanites aegyptiaca,commonly known as desert date, is an important food tree found in the drylands of Uganda and many other African countries. The tree produces edible fresh leaves and fruits during the peak dry season (November–March in Uganda) and edible oil is also extracted from the seed kernel. All these products are consumed at household level and also traded by dryland communities. Other potential uses of Balanites are production of bio-diesel from its kernel oil and its various medicinal properties. Realizing the potential of this tree to support resilience of dryland communities in Uganda, two universities (Bangor University, UK in collaboration with Makerere University, Kampala) formed the indigenous fruit tree project with a priority focus on Balanites. [The project began in 2007 with support from the Leverhulme Trust, UK, and has since received additional support from the Carnegie Foundation of New York, the Government of Uganda and the Global Environment Facility (GEF)]. Community-based organizations are now being supported to set up income generating projects based on Balanites products.


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Publication year

2022

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