Agricultural & Environmental Technology Development Society (AETDS)
International Journal of Agricultural and Applied Sciences (IJAAS)
5thInternational Conference on "Climate Change and Its Impact (CCI 2023)"
International Journal of Agricultural and Applied Sciences, December 2023, 4(2): 17-26
ISSN: 2582-8053
https://doi.org/10.52804/ijaas2023.423
Review Article
Digitaria species (Acha): panacea for malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.
Rukayat Queen Adegbola1; Grace O. Otitodun1; Medinat O. Jimoh2; Okparavero, N. F.;2 Okunlade A. F3.; Ishola, T. D3.; Aaron Y. Isaac4; Haruna P.B4.; Dada A. Olarenwaju4 and Adegbola J. Adetayo2
1,2,3, Durable Crop Research Department, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, P.M.B 1489, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
2Research Outreach Department, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, P.M.B 1489, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
4Perishable Crop Research Department, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, P.M.B 1489, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author e-mail: queensadegbola@gmail.com
(Received: 05/06/2023; Revised: 28/08/2023; Accepted: 02/10/2023; Published: 20/12/2023)
ABSTRACT
Acha (Digitaria sp) is a powerhouse of nutrient, filling, versatile, light, and delicious, yet the most underutilized food security crop in Nigeria. The value of the nutritional content (amino acids, protein, starch, crude fibre and ash) present in acha grain is higher than that reported for other cereals such as rice, maize and sorghum and as such, a panacea for malnutrition’. The grain is tolerated by even those with frail digestive systems, including small children, the elderly, and those who are health-conscious. More so, it is a very fast-growing cereal grain and it is considerably cheaper than most staple food crops. Acha is said to be a good food security crop as it blends well with other recipes. It has a texture similar to grits or couscous with a sand colour and due to the primitive conventional processing methods, it contains a load of gritty sand particles. These gritty sand particles can be prevented by threshing over a clean, hard, non-sandy surface. The consumption of acha daily brings you back to the prehistoric era of longevity and wellness.
Keywords: Glycemic Index, Digitaria exilis (white acha), Digitaria iburua (black or brown acha), EAA (Essential Amino Acid), Sauté, Daddawa (Locust Beans), Food security.