Breadfruit: The silent superfood

RHIANNA MC KENZIE

“A Breadfruit tree is a gift that keeps on giving,” said agriculture economist and founder of the Breadfruit Tree Project, Omardath Maharaj.

A stable in the Caribbean diet, Maharaj believes the easy-to-grow tree is the key to sustainable living, and reducing TT’s exorbitant import food bill.

“It produces an abundance of nutritious, tasty fruit. They provide construction materials, medicine, glue, insect repellent, animal feed and are high in energy, low in fat and a good source of fibre, calcium, copper,” among other minerals.

Maharaj and his partner Raul Bermudez believe breadfruit trees should be planted in every community.

“Most start bearing in three to five years and will remain productive for decades. For less than what you pay for in a tin of biscuits or a box of chocolates, you can feed a family forever.”

Maharaj said the idea for the project came after listening to an interview with newly-appointed Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in 2015.

“On the subject of our incredibly high food import bill, he spoke about the need to educate our children’s taste buds on locally grown food. He mentioned he had been invited to lunch that week and was served a (delicious) meal of breadfruit and peas, (saying) it was the most delicious meal he had in a very long time.”

Maharaj said he was inspired to research the tree and found it to be a “superfood.”

He said the day after the interview, Bermudez planted a tree in his backyard. “Given his regular postings on our Facebook page, we have been able to see that a tree which will be five years old in October, produces more food than a single family of seven can consume.”

Since then, Maharaj estimates the team has distributed about 4,000 breadfruit tree plants, one of which made its way to RC Archbishop Jason Gordon’s garden.

The project has also distributed 210 trees to the Golden Grove Prison, and 107 to the University of the West Indies, and has participated in events like farmers markets, where trees are given away to customers.

“If every HDC property, community centre, park and public space was delivered with one for starters, our world would be better off today.”

Maharaj said the fruit has tremendous entrepreneurship value.

“In this unprecedented era, which affects every single citizen, now and into our future, we must be mindful that it has been an uphill battle for advocacy in this sector, especially in framing the strategic importance of addressing the agriculture, fisheries and rural challenges.”

Overall, Maharaj said the response to the project has been overwhelming. He said he noticed during the lockdown those who have trees were keeping the breadfruits for their families and friends.

“Today, most people see the need to have their own tree and grow their own food.”

Among his many other projects, Maharaj has also spearheaded a concept called yard market, where the ideals of entrepreneurship, agriculture and agri-business marketing come together.

“The covid19 lockdown gave us the opportunity to further test the lessons of our advocacy over the years; spinning unemployment and despair into a way forward. The yard market promotes an inclusive entrepreneurship hub for hand-made products, home-grown foods and other forms of social entrepreneurship.”

Maharaj said food security during a pandemic can be challenging because exporting countries may revisit their export strategies and internal policies towards building reserves in order to maintain the food and nutrition security of their populations.

“Trade logistics is also under pressure. For import-dependent countries like ours, international crises, especially associated with our major trade partners, can have deep repercussions on our local economy.”

He said the economic ripple effects of covid19 are already being felt. “The potential for increased food prices globally is gaining momentum with restrictions. We have to pay attention to agriculture and food production in this country, now, and start food security planning to avoid price, production, and market volatility resulting in food chain crisis.”

Maharaj said issues surrounding food security is what motivated him to create the yard market.

“I believe that every citizen has a stake in food security planning but many need some level of empowerment and assurance that the power is literally in their hands.”

The yard market has been held once a month since June and has attracted home gardeners, entrepreneurs of cocoa-based products and artisan clothing.

For more info on the Breadfruit Tree Project and the yard market: Omardath Maharaj - agricultural economist https://www.facebook.com/AgriEconomisTT.