An article on the NY Times about TM (Traditional Medicine), a Medicine Hunter and, amongst the underutilized species mentioned, Maca in Peru . Here the link
Archive for category Markets & Marketing
There is a general growing consumer demand for product diversity, which may offer new market opportunities and create employment at various levels.
This contributes to the diversification of livelihood opportunities for poor people, especially vulnerable groups.
Markets: local versus global, postharvets activities, value chains, GI’s and much more to explore … What would you say about making money from underutilized species?
The picture on the left shows jackfruit selling on a market in India.
Jeffrey Faus, Managing Editor of Trees for Life Journal, points out some precious resources dealing with marketing, nutrition, income generation opportunities
- Using Science to Help the Poor: Low-Budget Research Ideas. Part 3: Research Opportunities
Martin Price, Ph.D.
Several specific research topics are suggested, including plant tissue culture, making an antibiotic ointment from the Moringa tree, and use of the African Egusi melon as a milk substitute. - Old Wives’ Tales: Modern Miracles
N. K. Pandeya, D.O. Â
Turmeric has been used for centuries in India as a traditional medicine to cure infections. Studies have shown that a chemical in turmeric stops the growth of melanoma. More research is needed to find out the mode of action of turmeric’s immune-boosting, anti-cancer and antibiotic properties as a potential natural remedy. - Can Fresh Vegetable Sprouts be Produced for Human Consumption in Areas With Poor Water Quality? (A Pilot Study)
Jed W. Fahey and Katherine K. Stephenson
Water leached from growing broccoli sprouts is shown to inhibit the growth of E. coli bacteria. Sprouts (green vegetables) have long been known to be a good source of nutrition, but where water supplies are contaminated, growing them can be risky. This finding hints that some sprouts could be safer than others. - Rapid Ethnobotanical Survey of the Maya Mountains Range in Southern Belize, Central America: A Pilot Study
Todd Pesek, Marvin Cal, Victor Cal, Nick Fini, Chris Minty, Peter Dunham, Pablo Sanchez, Luis Poveda, John Arnason
A new field survey method involves indigenous traditional healers in identifying rare, disappearing, and previously unreported medicinal plants. A model is presented for sharing the benefits of such plants with a wider audience while preserving local culture. - Social Marketing: A Baseline Survey Report of District Bargarh, Orissa
B. R. Poonia Â
A survey of people’s knowledge and use of Moringa tree leaves in several communities in India serves as a baseline for a test of social marketing techniques. - Plant Foods as Sources of Pro-Vitamin A: Application of a Stable Isotope Approach to Determine Vitamin A Activity
Michael A. Grusak, Ph.D. Â
Vitamin A deficiency is a serious problem in the developing world. A method for measuring beta-carotene absorption in the body helps scientists understand the potential of plant foods to provide vitamin A.
For more information from this hands on NGO check their web site Trees for Life Journal
Thanks Jeffrey!
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