Barbados cherry: Agriculture, breeding, utilization and role in nutritional and economical security-A review

Abstract

Barbados cherry is a wild under-utilized fruit crop grown mainly in the regions with tropical humid climate. Being a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phenolic acids, especially the Vitamin C (richest source) it can protect from free radicals and cures cancer, kwashiorkor, marasmus, night blindness, hypertension, liver problems and hidden hungers which are threatening the modern world. Being a good source of pectin a number of processed products are prepared from it like syrup, juices, candy, murabbas, pickles and also for baby food preparation. By preparing these products rural people and housewives can earn a good income round the year. Besides, if small scale processing unit can be setup in collaboration with some NGOs’, then it enhances much more employment and improves the socio-economic status of the rural people. Therefore, this paper reviews the overall agronomic, breeding, crop utilization practices with its role in nutritional and economical security.