Indigenous Fruits Research Paper

It is perhaps difficult to come up with an exact definition of indigenous fruits. Mazumdar (2012) defines indigenous fruits as those fruits although consumable to human beings they are considered less palatable than other fruits, have lesser demand in the market, grown to a limited extent only and not usually cropped in. Other terms used are less-known fruits, less appealing fruits, less-exploited fruits, stray fruits, wild fruits etc. These indigenous fruits are enriched with nutritional and medicinal value, and can be grown even in wastelands without much care (Chakraborty et al, 2011).

An example is that of water chestnut, one of the most popular aquatic fruit crop which are rich in carbohydrate, protein and calcium can easily be grown

Kiwi fruit, which originally came from China, was traditionally considered an ambiguous fruit, is now found in most grocery stores throughout the United States and the world (Finn & Hummer, 2005).

2.5.2 Marketing of Indigenous fruit globally

Producing minor fruits is a source of livelihood for many farmers in Bangladesh which serves as safety net during hardship and natural disaster and approximately, 80% of the population lives in rural areas are highly dependent on home gardens for their livelihood (Rahman & Rahman, 2014). The Miombo woodlands are known to have over 75 indigenous fruit trees (IFTs), which bear edible fruits are packed with minerals and vitamins, sold for cash income and constitute important food sources during famines and or emergencies (Akinnifesi et al, 2004).

2.5.3 Marketing of Indigenous fruits in

It is considered an important indigenous fruit of Meghalaya as it is consumed to a great extent by the rural and tribal masses for its unique taste. The fruits are highly perishable and have a very short shelf life of 1-2 days. During the process of handling, transportation and marketing, huge quantities of fruits gets damaged due to lack of proper packaging materials which resulted in surplus production in the local market causing huge losses to the farmers as they are compelled to dispose off their produce at throwaway prices (Deka, et al, 2013). A mature fruits of Sohshang has a nutritive value of contains and a nutritive value of 3702.73 (kcal/kg) and contains 14.8g protein, 13.6gK, 172mg Fe, 5860 mg Ca per 100g of fresh fruit (Seal, 2012). Acetone extract of Sohphie fruit has the highest quantity of phenoliccompounds, flavonoids and flavonols (antioxidants) that show signs of reducing power and radical scavenging activity.

Myrica who belongs to family Myricaceae is locally known as Sohphie Meghalaya. People have found many uses of the fruit besides enjoying its fresh fruit. These include homemade pickle, jams and jelly. Meghalaya can hold a huge monopoly in the market and the scope for exporting outside the state is vast because of its unique taste and being indigenous in origin. Due to its diversified uses, Patel & De (2006) felt that there is an urgent