The world is facing a refugee crisis, in drought-prone regions of Africa where rainfall water is scarce for months or years the desert date produces fruit to feed families. Africa can feed Africa. The African desert date, Balanites aegyptiaca, is one example of Africa’s naturally drought resistant trees that could be a game changer across the driest parts of Africa.
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| African desert dates are drought-tolerant plants providing food in Africa's drought-prone countries. |
In 2011, East Africa was in the midst of its
worst drought in more than 60 years, with as many as 10 million people at risk.
The drought led to crop failures leading to a major food crisis. In the first
seven months of 2014, more than 87,000 people arrived in Italy by sea, mainly
from Eritrea and Syria and as the refugee crisis looms more people leave their
homes to escape conflict, drought and poverty.
Africa can feed Africa. The desert date tree is considered valuable in
dry and drought regions because it produces fruit even during droughts due to
its long taproot. The desert date, a native African evergreen tree is known by
many names; soapberry tree, Egyptian balsam, Indian hingota, thorn tree, Dattier du desert, and Heglig just to name a few. The slow growing desert date fruits turn
from green to yellow when ripe. The desert date supplies many people with
nourishment and folk medicine when food sources and medicines are scarce. The fruit pulp is bitter but edible.
The desert date seed is rich in oil an important source of fatty acids and carbohydrates.
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Ethiopian pastoralist children walk in the arid lands of
Dire Dawa.
Photo by Aysha House-Moshi, USAID
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Traditionally, in some regions of Africa, food
production is at a hand to mouth level. This is due to many factors beyond the
control of the population. African desert dates are drought-tolerant plants
providing food in Africa's drought-prone countries. Greater focus is needed on
studies for the cultivation of the desert date throughout desert climates.
Desert drylands, arid, semi-arid, and sub humid areas with seasonal, often
unpredictable rains account for about 41 percent of the world’s land mass. The
desert date has the potential to provide resources that could help broaden and
secure Africa's food supply.
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| Desert Date Tree |
The world is facing a major refugee crisis. Millions
of people remain displaced because of natural disasters including drought.
Major refugee populations attempting to seek asylum in the European Union from
Africa include Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of the Congo and
South Sudan. Changes in climate such as drought, higher temperatures and
reduced water supplies, affect negatively agriculture. In drought-prone regions
of Africa where rainfall water is scarce for months or years the desert date
produces fruit to feed families, Africa can feed Africa.
Desert date trees can live to be 100 years old
providing food for generations in Africa’s dry arid climates. Today’s critical
issues of food insecurity and climate change demand real solutions. Greater
focus is needed on the cultivation of the desert date throughout desert
climates for carbon farming and food security. The desert date is indeed one
example of Africa’s’ naturally drought resistant trees that could be a game
changer across the driest parts of Africa helping Africa feed Africa.
