The Utilization of Multi-Purpose Wild fruits in Central Sudan, because gum belt is Part of Central Sudan

Abstract

Sudan embraces diverse biological resources which represent an important national asset and heritage. The fruits of these indigenous natural species play an important role in the diet of local people in the savanna belt of the Sudan, especially during famines and food shortages. Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) have received high attention since they have significant countless usages throughout the world during the last years, These fruits were have different physical properties and have diverse physico-chemecal components such as protein, fibre, ash, carbohydrates, and high values of energy which ranged from 310 to 372 Kcal/100 g. Wild fruits (WFs) are non-timber forest products (NTFPs) which include hundreds of internationally traded and locally utilized forest wild products of biologically origin, in Sudan many traders and collectors were employed in the production process and marketing of WFs but unfortunately the collection is from remote areas and at local level is not organized and the products are passed through long marketing channels to the consumer and end users and sold at very low rate. Livelihood system in which they occur is complex and women are responsible for household activities that involve forest-based foods and fuel wood. The chapter has attempted to explore the promotion of potential NTFPs involvement of the community in the established market chain, organizing the NTFPs collectors, promotion of NTFPs based enterprises to extricate and rescue the poor collectors and shortening the market channel. There are many challenges confronting wild fruits production such as institutional constraints, socioeconomic and environmental aspects, the most important promising opportunities for proper utilization for wild fruits are potential of commercially underutilized wild fruits, accumulation of experience and indegiounous knowledge, contribution of wild fruits in income generation versus different sources of income. Means for improvement are mentioned and important priority themes for further investigation are suggested.