See also: » 21.10.2010 - Cape Verde sees starting "Green revolution" » 05.03.2010 - Cape Verde farmers to reorganise into companies » 23.09.2009 - USADF signs new grants in Cape Verde and Tanzania » 23.05.2006 - Satellites reveal marine turtles' migrations » 03.04.2006 - Researchers study Cape Verdeans' genetic structure » 26.07.2005 - Rare Cape Verde bird "never existed" » 29.09.2004 - Locusts and drought may create food crisis in Cape Verde » 22.09.2004 - "Concern" over locust situation in Cape Verde Houlihan's coupons

Finn autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden på Verdensmat.no: Gazpacho Børek Kartoffelsalat Taboulé Gulasj Albóndigas Cevapi Rougaille Japrak sarma Zwiebelbrot Klopse Giouvetsi Paella Pljeskavica Pica pau Pulpo a la gallega Flammkuchen Langosj Tapenade Chatsjapuri Pasulj Lassi Kartoffelpuffer Tortilla Raznjici Knödel Lentejas Bœuf bourguignon Korianderchutney Brenneslesuppe Proia Sæbsi kavurma Sardinske calamares

Autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden finner du på Verdensmat.no: Réunion Portugal Aserbajdsjan Serbia Tyskland Seychellene Bosnia Spania Libanon Belgia India Kroatia Hellas Italia Ungarn Komorene Georgia Mauritius Østerrike Romania Frankrike

The dragon fruit (pitaya) plant at a Cape Verde research plot

© INIDA/afrol News

afrol News, 9 March - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa.

In Cape Verde, the exotic dragon fruit will probably go under its Brazilian names, pitaya or pitahaya, when the National Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (INIDA) in brief will release the semi-cactus to Cape Verdean cultivators.

INIDA has received over 600,000 euro from the European Union (EU) and the Cape Verdean government to help diversify the archipelago's agricultural output and revitalise banana production. The choice soon fell onto the little known dragon fruit, which already had made its success on banana plantation on the nearby Canary Islands.

The research is now coming to an end, and within brief, INIDA will start to distribute new disease-resistant varieties of bananas, pineapples and mango trees, and the totally new dragon fruit, which combines very well with banana production, especially in the arid climate of Cape Verde.

The dragon fruit, by its appearance, is a cactus native to tropical America. The main producers are Colombia, Mexico and Vietnam, and so far, there is no commercial production of the sweet tropical fruit in any other part of Africa. The large

Dragon fruits are described as "mild, sweet and very refreshing"

© INIDA/afrol News

-sized fruit is described to have "a mild, sweet flavour and being very refreshing," according to INIDA.

Further, the exotic plant also serves as an ornamental plant, easily grown in gardens and parks - which is an important argument in the tourist destination Cape Verde.

INIDA recommends Cape Verdean cultivators to embrace the new fruit crop, holding it is "high on vitamins and flavour," and easily could be used in the archipelago's Creole cuisine. Further, the plant "adapts easily and well to conditions of water shortage and may further contribute to the diversification of fruit production and income of Cape Verdean farmers," according to the institute.

"The flesh can be consumed fresh and used in the preparation of soft drinks, ice cream, salads, appetisers, yogurt, mousses, jellies and jams," according to INIDA.

The state institute says it has imported a large amount of dragon fruit plants from a major Canary Island producer. So far, they have been planted at INIDA's research plots among bananas and pineapples. The new fruit plant will now be distributed to Cape Verdean cultivators.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

Rwanda

Rwanda succeeds including citizens in formal financial sector afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda. Read more

Famine warning: "South Sudan is imploding" afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries. Read more

Guinea

Panic in West Africa after Ebola outbreak in Guinea afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease. Read more

Ethiopia

Ethiopia tightens its already strict anti-gay laws afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared. Read more

Ethiopia

Ethiopia plans Africa's biggest dam afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries. Read more