Future prospects of Ziziphus mauritiana in alleviating household food insecurity and illnesses in arid and semi-arid areas: A review

Ziziphus mauritiana (Z. mauritiana) is a widely cultivated multi-purpose tree that grows naturally in hot and dry areas throughout the tropics. The tree tolerates extremely dry habitats, very high temperatures and is an extremely valuable tree for people that live in such climates where exotic fruit trees can hardly survive. Z. mauritiana has multiple uses which chiefly include culinary, fodder and medicinal. Its fruits are eaten raw, processed into various products which include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, porridge, traditional cake and jam. The tree grows and produces well under low rainfall and high temperatures. Considering the effects of climate change that has recently come into play, causing the extension of hot and dry zones, the growing of Z. mauritiana can be a solution to food and income insecurity for households in arid and semi-arid areas. In Zimbabwe for instance, the fruit is harvested in large quantities in the Zambezi valley and marketed countrywide and even beyond the borders. Despite the abundance of the tree species, statistics highlight that the majority of the households in the area are food insecure and depend on food aid from Non-Governmental Organisation such as World Food Programme and World Vision International. In addition, less has been documented on the contributions of Z. mauritiana in enhancing rural livelihoods. It is therefore against this background that prompted this review on the future prospects of Z. mauritiana in enhancing household food security and health.