Maravi

GART calls for promotion of Guar gum

GART calls for promotion of Guar gum
By Fridah Zinyama
Saturday August 23, 2008 [04:00]

THE Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) has said there is need to promote cash crops like Guar gum in the country if poverty in rural areas is to be eradicated. And National Network Project on Arid Legumes in India Dr Devender Kumar said certain cash crops like Guar gum are very important to the improvement of people's livelihood.

Guar gum is a water-soluble paste made from the seeds of the guar plant and has multi-purposes in that it can be used as a thickener and stabiliser in foods and pharmaceuticals.

During the promotion of Guar gum to stakeholders at Pamodzi Hotel on Thursday, Dr Stephen Muliokela said Guar gum was an important crop which GART was promoting in the country.

"It is also commonly sold as a herbal supplement to promote weight loss. The largest market for guar gum is in the food industry, where it is used as a thickener and binder of free water in sauces, salad dressings, ice creams, instant noodles, pet foods, processed meats, bread improvers and beverages," Dr Muliokela said. "Industrial applications of guar gum include its use in the textile, paper, explosives, mining and pharmaceutical industries."

He added that GART had already carried out trials in certain parts of the country to see how the yield rates and tests had already been carried out in food industry.

And Dr Kumar said Guar gum was a very useful crop with multiple uses.

"Guar provides nutritious fodder and concentrate to the livestock sector," he said. "It is a rich source of crude protein."

Dr Kumar said Guar can be used in different industries in the country and it was a good crop for both small and large farmers to grow due to its usefulness.

There is a ready market for it on the international market and the farmers can be assured of a ready market for their product.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, GART, GUAR GUM

posted by MrK @ 4:36 AM