Importance of Beles (Prickly-Pear Cactus) for the Eritrean Highlanders, Horn of Africa: An Analysis
| Main Author: | Dr. Basanta Kumar Mohanta |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article Journal |
| Bahasa: | eng |
| Terbitan: |
, 2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/3784229 |
Daftar Isi:
- Beles- prickly pear cactus plant,known to human beingsince the time of Pleistocene era and was subsequently domesticated. It is a native plant of Mexico which is the known as the biggest cactus pear producer country of the world. The different parts of this cactus plant are used for different purposes throughout the globe. But in case of the North Eastern Africa in general and the highland of Eritrea in particular, it introduced very late where it is mainly used as animal fodder and raw human food. Besides, it also plays a significant role as household income and poverty alleviation in both the production and consumption areas.Since this present study area is located in sub-Saharan desert area and since, the beles plant is able to adapt different climatic conditions has allowed the plant to grow in many parts of Eritrea. Thus, the plant gaining new respect as a potential food source in an area which have inconsistent rainfall, environmental degradation, poor quality soils and other problems. Even if, its introduction to the highlanders of Eritrea is comparatively very recent, it occupies an important place in the economy and subsistence of these people. In this article an attempt has been made to discuss about the importance of beles for the people of highland Eritrea, Africa. Dataare collected both from the primary and secondary sources.