Indigenous Leafy Green Vegetables

There are nearly a thousand different plants with edible leaves. Some are annual plants, seeding and re-growing every season, and the others are perennial, growing as bushes for many years. In many parts of Namibia lots of indigenous plants are used traditionally as food, such as the well-known and popular ombidi Cleome gynandra), ekwakwa (Amaranthus thunbergii) and omutete (Hibiscus sabdariffa).

Baobab

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is used for multiple purposes however it has very limited resource base in Namibia. It has potential in the food-and-beverage sector through the development of baobab fruit powder as a Novel Food ingredient in the European Union, and a GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe)-approved ingredient in the United States of America. To access these regional markets as a food ingredient, approval must be received, which requires significant resources and a thorough understanding of the characteristics, history of use and intended applications of this ingredient.

Kalahari melon seed (Citrullus lanatus)

A lipid oil with real commercialisation potential, kalahari melon seed oil could be produced in larger quantities but the demand for it is currently limited.