Fruit Tree Portfolios for Improved Diets and Nutrition in Machakos County Kenya
1ZaY0WP
1ZaY0WP
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Custard apple<br />
(Annona reticulata <strong>and</strong> A. squamosa)<br />
Mtomoko (Swahili)<br />
© www.mbg.com<br />
© www.123rf.com<br />
Custard apple is a small tree with a short stem <strong>and</strong> an open crown, grow<strong>in</strong>g to a height of up to<br />
7 m. It is native to Southern America, but has naturalised <strong>in</strong> many tropical countries <strong>and</strong> grows<br />
well <strong>in</strong> semi-arid lowl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> lower midl<strong>and</strong>s. Custard apple is usually grown from seeds, but<br />
graft<strong>in</strong>g is also possible. <strong>Fruit</strong>s are picked slightly unripe <strong>and</strong> stored until they are soft. They are<br />
mostly eaten fresh. In <strong>Machakos</strong> area, custard apple fruits are ready <strong>for</strong> harvest <strong>in</strong> March <strong>and</strong><br />
April.<br />
Nutrients are the nutritious components <strong>in</strong> foods that the body needs to grow strong <strong>and</strong> healthy.<br />
A diverse <strong>and</strong> balanced diet conta<strong>in</strong>s a range of nutrients, all of which play an important part <strong>in</strong><br />
keep<strong>in</strong>g our bodies healthy. Custard apple is rich <strong>in</strong> vitam<strong>in</strong> C, vitam<strong>in</strong> B6 <strong>and</strong> potassium.<br />
Vitam<strong>in</strong> C strengthens the immune system <strong>and</strong> provides <strong>for</strong> good health.<br />
Vitam<strong>in</strong> B6 is good <strong>for</strong> the immune system <strong>and</strong> <strong>for</strong> pregnant women <strong>and</strong> young children <strong>for</strong><br />
healthy development.<br />
Potassium is necessary <strong>for</strong> a healthy body <strong>and</strong> supports the functions of the heart, kidneys, <strong>and</strong><br />
other organs.<br />
In<strong>for</strong>mation brochure developed by Katja Kehlenbeck <strong>and</strong> Stepha McMull<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Fruit</strong><strong>in</strong>g Africa project implemented by the World Agro<strong>for</strong>estry Centre (ICRAF)<br />
<strong>and</strong> funded by the European Commission <strong>and</strong> IFAD<br />
Version: June 2015<br />
www.worldagro<strong>for</strong>estry.org
Change language