Wild edible fruits hold great potential for improving human diets, especially in agricultural societies of the developing world. In Africa, a well-known supplier of such fruits is the baobab (Adansonia digitata L., Malvaceae), one of the most remarkable trees of the world. Several studies in different African countries have highlighted this indigenous fruit tree as a priority species for domestication and expanded use. However, internationally available information on baobab in East Africa, particularly in Sudan and Kenya, remains scarce. This review aims to shed light on the ecology, diversity and current level of utilization of baobab in East Africa in order to facilitate domestication and conservation of the species. A list of priority research areas is provided at the end of the review to encourage further studies and investment in this unique plant taxon.

The baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) is found throughout the drier parts of subSaharan Africa. Particularly though the use of its highly nutritious fruits, but also its leaves and other parts of the tree it can make a positive contribution to family nutrition and food security — either directly or indirectly though income generation. The latter pathway is receiving increasing attention, following the acceptance of baobab fruit pulp as a novel food ingredient in both the US and Europe. In addition, baobab food products are of significant and increasing importance in a number of local African markets. These growing markets may offer additional income opportunities for baobab producers throughout Africa. However, in Eastern Africa, particularly Kenya and the Sudan, the opportunities baobab trees offer to improve local nutrition and livelihoods have largely been neglected. The BAOFOOD project, which is funded by BMEL under its “Research Cooperation for Global Food Security and Nutrition” and runs from 2016 to 2019, aims at promoting the domestication, market development, processing and consumption of baobab for the improvement of food security, nutrition and rural livelihoods in these target countries. Addressing the identified bottlenecks of inconsistent quality in plant materials, lack of cultivation and processing technologies or underdeveloped market chains research activities will touch on all parts of the value chain. The geographical range of baobab as well as phenological variations are being assessed in order to preserve and protect the baobab tree as a natural resource while simultaneously developing viable recommendations for the sustainable cultivation and domestication of these trees. The nutritional value of baobab Contact Address: Dietrich Darr, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Marie-CurieStr. 1, 47533 Kleve, Germany, e-mail: dietrich.darr@hochschule-rhein-waal.de fruit and leaves are being analysed and the effect of baobab products on the food supply and the economic situation of local populations investigated in order to predict how increased commercial use will impact the project region. Extensive target group and market analyses in Kenya and Sudan are planned to explore the market demand and potential for new baobab-based products. The ultimate goal is to then produce those products with the most demand and potential in a local pilot production facility.

Baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) is a tree widely grown throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Its exceptionally nutritious fruit has the potential to play an important role in family nutrition and food security in marginalized rural communities. In addition, baobab products have a growing market in Europe and the US, which offers income opportunities for baobab producers in Africa. Little is known about baobab trees, baobab products and markets in East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Sudan which gave reason to form the project BAOFRUIT. During stakeholder workshops and field visits in Germany and Kenya the available information was exchanged and knowledge gaps were identified. The project consortium includes research institutions and private companies from Kenya, Sudan, Malawi, UK and Germany. The results of the workshops include the urgent need to investigate the current contribution of baobab products to local diets, food security, income generation and the active promotion of baobab fruit as a beneficial foodstuff. Furthermore, the ecology, distribution and abundance of baobab and possible future changes need to be assessed.