Wild Fruits and their Role in Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security in Turkana: Narrative Review
Keywords:
Indigenous wild fruits; Food and nutrition security; Turkana County; Nutritional composition; Traditional preservationAbstract
Food and nutrition insecurity continues to be a threat mostly in the households that are in Arid and semiarid regions of Kenya where recurrent drought, agricultural productivity is low, with weak limited market systems that affects their access to diverse micronutrient rich foods. Indigenous wild fruits in Turkana County are climate resilient and supports food and nutrition especially in times of food shortage but these resources are underutilized. The study is a systematic synthesis of recent research about the nutritional ,medicinal composition and cultural uses of the most dominant indigenous wild fruits which are Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca), Indian Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), White Raisin Tree (Grewia tenax), Leathery Boscia (Boscia coriacea),Smooth Dobera(Dobera glabra) and Toothbrush Tree(Salvadora persica).Research on these fruits from 2020 to 2025 show that these fruits are rich in energy-giving carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fibre and essential micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C) which is often lack in dryland carbohydrate based diet. Their bioactive content especially flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids and saponins provide strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and hematinic functions show improvement in glycemic control, lipid profiles and anemia status. Traditional preservation methods such as drying, roasting and fermentation increases shelf life and enhance their nutritional quality of staple porridges used in lean season. Their utilization is limited due to lack of awareness, limited market and lack of supportive policy frameworks. The evidence shows that integration of these fruits in local food systems can increase the dietary diversity, improve micronutrient deficiencies and strengthen household resilience to climate related food shortages. Targeted interventions, value addition, community-based conservation, and policy recognition are necessary to unlock their potential. These wild fruits are a culturally accepted, relevant in addressing micronutrients deficiencies and improving food and nutrition security in Turkana County.
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