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Medicinal Value and Nutrient Status of Indigenous Fruits in Bangladesh

Moshiur Rahman
Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh

Jillur Rahman
Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Fruit plant genetic resources are the wealth of a country since they are sources of food, feed, cloth, house building materials, vitamins, minerals and medicine. Bangladesh, by virtue of the favourable agro-climatic conditions, characterized by tropical and sub-tropical environments, has a large number of fruit plant genetic resources. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a population of 165 million. It possesses a good number of minor fruits often growing in the homesteads, roadsides, hills and forests. They are hardy in nature, adapted to the local climate and productive even under adverse soil and climatic conditions and resistant to disease and pests. According to World Health Organization (WHO), per capita requirement of fruits is 115 g but in Bangladesh it is only 78 g, which is much below than the minimum requirement. On the other hand, from November to April most of the fruits are not available in this country. In Bangladesh, most of the minor fruits produced fruits during November to April. Nearly 80% of the population lives in rural areas and are highly dependent on home gardens for their livelihood. Producing minor fruits is a source of livelihood for many farmers and serves as safety net during the time of hardship and natural disaster. Those are considered as an important dietary source of fiber, bioactive compounds and phyto-chemicals and compared to other fruits, it possess high antioxidant activity and are naturally rich in a variety of phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds. Apart from nutritive value, these are particularly more important for medicinal properties especially in Ayurvedic medicine. Many of these fruits have processing qualities like preparation of jam, jelly, candy, chutney, sauce, pickles, juice, syrup, squash, beverage, canned and cut fruits which help build entrepreneurships. These fruits also contribute to poverty reduction and livelihood enhancement as well as ensure household food and nutritional security adding women participation through employment and income generation. The producers, sellers and workers involved in minor fruit production, packaging and selling may improve their livelihoods from this sector.

Keywords: Indigenous fruits, Medicinal value, Nutrient Statues, Livelihood

Location: Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Fruit

Objectives:

This paper emphasizes exploiting the potential usefulness of these valuable resources, in combating the challenges for betterment of the ever-increasing population.

Methodology:

Bangladesh stretches from latitude Bangladesh stretches from latitude and longitude 20°34’- 26°38 N’ and 88°01-92°41’ E with a total geographical area of about 147,570 km² of which 14.84 million hectare land. The agro-climatic conditions (humid subtropical) are fertile and acidic so good depth and abundant rainfall favour the cultivation of different minor fruit. These crops are easier to grow and hardy in nature, producing a crop even under adverse soil and climatic conditions. The annual production of fruits in 2008-09 was about 4.22 million tons from an area of about 0.15 million hectare (BBS, 2011). Present status of fruits Bangladesh possesses an immense potential for the production of wide range of tropical and sub-tropical fruits. The present production of fruit is about is about 45.21lakh tons from an area of 2.43 lakh hectares of land inside garden plus outside garden (homestead, roadside, office premises etc.) (BBS, 2011). The consumption per head per day is only 77g as against the minimum requirement of 115g per head per day which indicates that the present production can meet only 67% of our requirement. This gap is likely to expand further with the increase of population. The domestic demand or fruits in Bangladesh is expected to rise to 73-75 tons by 2020, which is about double of the present production level. In order to meet the increasing demands, the yield of fruit has to be increased through the use of improve varieties, quality planting materials and proper cultural management of fruit crops. Production trend For production of the fruits, ber and jamun showed the increase in both the area and production whereas lime and lemon, Indian olive and carambola showed decrease in area but increase in production. In case of Wax Jambo, area and production both decreased. Pumello, tamarind and wood apple showed decreased area with more or less static production. Amra (golden apple and hogplum) showed a peculiarity like more area with decreased production in 2007-08; otherwise its area and production were more or less similar. Seasonal availability Most of the fruit are available during the short period of the year due to their seasonality in fruiting and therefore, availability of fruits in Bangladesh is very poor beyond summer and rainy season. More than one half of the fruit become available only during, tile four months from mid May to mid August and less than one half are available during the other eight month. It is revealed from Table that people get fairly adequate quantities of fruits during the four summer months and in other seasons/months there is an acute shortage of fruits. Fruit species of Bangladesh Bangladesh is blessed with many tropical and sub-tropical fruit species. A total of 70 different fruit species are presently grown in Bangladesh (Sultan et al., 2012). A list of major and minor fruit species grown in Bangladesh is noted in Table 4. There are so far 12 (twelve) major fruit species in Bangladesh as mentioned in the Year Book of Agricultural Statistics. Among the fruit species, banana, mango, jackfruit, pineapple, guava, papaya, lemon, lime, pummelo, litchi, ber and coconut are the maor while aonla, carambola, bullock’s heart, custard apple, Indian olive, bael, golden apple, pomegranate, jamun, wax apple, sapota, reose apple etc. are the important minor fruit species of Bangladesh, Cultivars of major fruit species have been brought under cultivation of commerce by the growers themselves based on their superiority in respect in respect of both quantitative and qualitative characteristics. On the other hand, Most of the minor fruits are not generally grown for commercial utilization and are occasionally eaten curiously during the fruiting season. They have nutritive and medicinal values. Beside these, some wild edible fruits fit for human consumption are also available in Bangladesh forests. These fruits are generally eaten by the tribal people and forest visitors out of their curiosity. They survive in forests through natural perpetuation.

Source of Information: Nova Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences Vol 2(6), June 2014:1-19

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

People of Bangladesh becoming increasing aware about the potential importance of native fruit species which are largely underexploited. They are good sources of vitamins, minerals, phyto-chemicals and energy. They also possess medicinal value and processing ability. They can also play a very significant role in the well being of the population through enhance household income, employment generation and environmental protection. Exploitation of nutritional and medicinal properties and improving livelihood is a long term strategy. Government and Non-Government Organizations should play the vital role in production, marketing, processing and popularization of minor fruits. Many of the fruit species are threatened due to various human interventions as well as natural calamities. Bangladesh should play more attention for the effective conservation and sustainable use of fruit plant conservation. Plantation and management of new orchards and conservation of germplasm are very important. Innovation of effective home garden agro-forestry models has immense potential for employment generation and health benefits. Finally, it may be concluded that it is a high time to establish a modern laboratory for analyzing nutritive and medicinal value for improvement and development of fruit crops as well as their diversify utilization for lively hood improvement.

Knowledge Management: Journal