[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: Amaranthus
At 13:28 15.10.1996 +0100, you wrote:
>
>Hello,
>
>
>we are two French students in agriculture trying to find some informations
>about the Mexican grain Amaranthus (Amaranthus crespus). In order to
>complete our engineer studies, we have to work out a final thesis that we
>would like to dedicate to the rural development, the food security and all
>the themes related to developing countries.
>
>At present, we are looking for any kind of informations, articles,
>statistics or studies dealing with Amaranthus and its production. As we know
>that you are working on tropical and subtropical crops maybe have you ever
>heard anything about this plant. It would be very kind of you if you could
>find and send us some datas or contacts that could help us to find some.
>
>Thank you very much in advance.
>Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
>
>
> Jean-Philippe GALLET
> & Cedric LEGER
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------
>------------------------------------------------------
>
Hello,
As I worked in Tanzania some years ago I came across Amaranthus and the way
they use it in Tanzania. I can't be sure it's the species you are interested
in, Amaranthus crespus, but anyway this is what I know: In swahili it is
called mchicha, in english sometimes "African spinach" and it is grown for
the leaves, not the grain. It is easy to grow (in the tropics - I have tried
in my home in Sweden also but not succeded very well) and also available in
small bundles in any marketplace. It is cooked, often first boiled with
water and then kind of fried together with some onion and tomatoes, or just
plain. It tastes very good and I believe that in some areas it is the major,
or sometimes only, green vegetable and as such a very important souce of
for example vitamins A and C and Iron(? I'm an agricultural engineer, not a
nutritionist).
As I mentioned it is easy to grow and it seems like there are no serious
pests or diseases affecting it.
I believe (though I'm not sure) that this is the same plant that the Inca
people of South America used to grow to use the seeds as a grain. I read
somewhere that the protein composition of these seeds compliments almost
perfectly the protein composition of maize wich was their (other) staple food.
I am presently trying to introduce "African Spinach" as a green leaf
vegetable in a certain area in Ethiopia so I would very much appreciate if
you could share with me any information you come across.
Good luck with your research!
Yours sincerely
Jon-Erik Rehn
______________________________________________________
Jon-Erik Rehn, e-mail: jonerik@ab.lst.se
Länsstyrelsen i Stockholms län, Box 22067, 104 22 STOCKHOLM
Telefon: 08 - 785 4914, Telefax: 08 - 650 77 40
International:
County Administrative Board of Stockholm
P.O.Box 22067
S-104 22 STOCKHOLM, Sweden
Telephone: +46 8 785 4914, Telefax: +46 8 650 77 40
Follow-Ups: