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By Chinyere Anyanwu
Agricultural experts, policymakers, and environmental leaders have called for greater investment in indigenous African crops, particularly baobab and marula, to unlock their potential in driving food security, rural wealth creation and climate resilience.
The call came during the official launch of the new book, “Baobab and Marula”, unveiled in Nigeria to a global audience of scholars, agribusiness leaders and development practitioners.
Hosted by communications specialist, Busola Dakolo, the event emphasised that baobab and marula trees, long revered in African culture, hold significant untapped economic value. Dakolo described the book as “a seed of knowledge planted by many hands,” stressing that these trees are not just symbols of heritage but solutions to pressing challenges such as hunger, climate change and sustainable income for farmers.
In his keynote address, Risto Isomäki, a science journalist and environmental expert, highlighted the agribusiness opportunities around baobab and marula. He noted that both trees can produce high volumes of nutritious foods with strong global market appeal, offering an opportunity for Africa to compete in the superfoods industry. Contributing editors and researchers reinforced the business case. Prof. Ahmad Cheikhyoussef of the University of Namibia described baobab and marula as “nutritional powerhouses” with potential for wide-ranging food and wellness products. Prof. Kenneth Egbador of Ho Technical University, Ghana, highlighted the need for domestication and cultivation to ensure long-term supply, while Prof. Joyce Lepetu of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources stressed their resilience and adaptability but warned of the need for structured protection and investment.
A panel discussion examined barriers to scaling baobab and marula industries. Dr. Sarah Venter, Chair of the Baobab Foundation, identified weak global demand and inconsistent quality as major challenges. Mrs. Ife Adeleke, CEO of Plush Organics, called for farmer education and value addition, noting that the trees have potential across food, beauty and health sectors. Ayu Pratiwi of the University of Turku, Finland, stressed the importance of certification and international standards to access export markets, while Olayemi Aganga, co-founder of Moungo Craft, pointed out that baobab is ahead of marula in commercialisation but scaling requires innovation, financing and market development strategies.
During the Q&A session, speakers urged African governments to adopt policies that integrate baobab and marula into national agricultural strategies. Prof. Arinola Adefila emphasised investment in research, technology and education, adding that indigenous crops should be part of classroom learning to strengthen cultural pride while building future industries.
The launch closed with a strong call to action: Baobab and marula are not only cultural symbols but also emerging assets for Africa’s agribusiness sector. With the right investments, these trees could boost export earnings, improve nutrition and provide sustainable income for rural households, positioning Africa as a global leader in climate-smart agriculture.
