The marama bean could potentially replace the peanut and soybean in food production.
The marama bean is a native plant of the sandy regions in southern Africa. It grows with minimum effort in low quality conditions. It has been harvested by indigenous groups and could potentially solve many hunger and malnutrition problems in Africa. It is currently being used as food, and could be harvested for other food products, livestock feed, erosion-prevention and medicine.
Background
The marama bean is a legume that originates in the areas of the Kalahari Desert, Botswana, Namibia and the Transvaal region of South Africa. It is found both wild and cultivated, and grows in poor-quality soil. Currently this plant is underutilized, but projects are underway to study its benefits and potential uses both in Africa and internationally.
Food Uses
The marama bean is currently being used as a food crop for indigenous populations in Africa. Both the bean and the tuber (similar to a potato or yam) are edible and used for making food products such as oil, texturized protein, milk and roasted nuts. Many sources say that if produced successfully, it could potentially replace the peanut and soybean.
Feed and Cover Uses
The leaves of the marama plant are sought out by wild animals and livestock. This gives it the possibility of making a hearty pasture crop. Also, because of the way it grows, it could be planted as a cover crop to prevent erosion from water and wind.
Medicinal Uses
University of Copenhagen's MARAMAII project is studying marama's antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and physiologic, antioxidant, anti-HIV and anticarcinogenic activities.
Tags: could potentially, marama bean, being used, being used food, could potentially replace
