Fruits and vegetables are cultivated in all of the regions in Guyana whether it is on a subsistence or commercial level. However, most of the fruits and vegetables available at the commercial level are produced in Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,9, and 10. Some of the crops that are grown predominantly in these regions include:
· Region 1 Ginger and yams
· Region 2 Coconuts, pineapples, citrus fruits and bananas
· Region3 Pineapples, pumpkin and ground provisions
· Region 4 Bora, pepper, watermelon, eddoes and coconuts
· Region 5 Eschallot, coconuts, tomatoes and boulanger
· Region 6 Watermelon, citrus fruits, boulanger, bora, cucumber and coconuts
· Region 9 Cassava, peanuts and bananas
· Region 10 Bananas, pumpkin and eddoes
Our super foods
The Moringa Plant
The Moringa Seeds crushed to a powder are used to clarify turbid, dirty water. The cleansing takes place by a process of electrical charges established between the muddy particles suspended in the water and the pulverised seeds, and gradually, after about an hour, the muddy particles are pulled to the bottom of the water by the force of gravity. Research shows that the seed not only settles the mud, but can carry with it over 90% of bacteria and viruses. A report published in New Scientist, December 1983, said that the seeds have been used in Sudan and Peru to purify muddy river water. It was also reported that seeds have antimicrobial activity. The seeds also have potential for treating sewerage water.
A folk remedy for stomach complaints, catarrh, hay fever, impotence, edema, cramps, hemorrhoids, headaches, sore gums; to strengthen the eyes and the brain, liver, gall, digestive, respiratory and immune system, as a blood cleanser and blood builder, and for cancer treatment. A traditional folk remedy was to use the leaves as a poultice on the abdomen to expel intestinal worms. Oil from the seed, called Oil of Ben, is used for earache and in ointments for skin conditions. The oil rubbed on the skin is said to prevent mosquitoes from biting. Flowers infused in honey are used as a cough remedy.
Research has shown the drumstick tree to be of exceptional nutritional value. The leaves are 38% protein with all essential amino acids, which will be of interest to vegetarians, or people who wish to cut back on meat and dairy products, or regions where protein is lacking. On a recent ‘Good Medicine’ TV program filmed in Africa, drumstick trees were grown in close rows, regularly cut when growth was 1 metre high, and the leaves dried and crushed. Two tablespoons of the high protein powder was given in the daily diet, to help overcome malnutrition.
Amino acids in green leaf vegetables vary considerably, and many that are staples are low in the sulphur-bearing amino acids methionine and cystine, whereas in the drumstick tree it is an extremely rich source in comparison to other greens and vegetables. The drumstick tree is listed as having the highest protein ratio of any plant on earth. The calcium content is very high at 297mg per 100g of leaves.
Leaves can be eaten fresh in hand, steamed, pickled, added to salads, stir-fries, curries, and soups. Leaves can be dried, and stored, for using in cooked dishes as required. Flavour of the pods are similar to peas with a mild mustard taste. Sliced, young green pods can be used in savory and meat dishes. Seeds can be fried or roasted and taste like peanuts. When seeds are abundant they can be sprouted like wheat grass, eaten as tender nutritious greens.
Roots of young seedlings taste similar to the herb horseradish, and are often grated and used as a substitute. Oil of Ben, a by-product of the seed, is an inodorous fine-grade oil used in salads, cooking, perfumery, lubricating watches and fine machinery. The oil does not go rancid. Flowers can be eaten or used as a garnish, and look most decorative in salads. Value the tree for its high nutritional value and as a survival food.
Soursop is the fruit of Annona muricata, a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree native to Mexico, Cuba, Central America, the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and northern South America, primarily Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela. Soursop is also produced in all tropical parts of Africa, especially in Eastern Nigeria and The Democratic Republic of Congo, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It is in the same genus, Annona, as cherimoya and is in the Annonaceae family.
The soursop is adapted to areas of high humidity and relatively warm winters; temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F) will cause damage to leaves and small branches, and temperatures below 3 °C (37 °F) can be fatal. The fruit becomes dry and is no longer good for concentrate.
Other common names include: Shawshopu in (Igbo, Eastern Nigeria) Mãng cầu Xiêm (Vietnamese), Coração de Boi (Mozambique), Evo (Ewe, Volta Region, Ghana), Ekitafeeli (Uganda), Mtomoko (Swahili), Aluguntugui (Ga, Greater Accra Region, Ghana), guanábana (Spanish), graviola (Brazilian Portuguese, pronounced: [ɡɾɐviˈɔlɐ]), anona (European Portuguese), graviolo (Esperanto), corossol (French), “cœur de boeuf” (Democratic Republic of Congo), kowosòl (Haitian Creole), කටු අනෝදා (Katu Anoda) (Sinhalese), sorsaka (Papiamento), adunu (Acholi), Brazilian pawpaw, (Tagalog)guyabano, guanavana, toge-banreisi, durian benggala, durian belanda, nangka blanda, ทุเรียนเทศ [turi:jen te:d] (Thai), ទៀបបារាំង [tiəp baraŋ] (Khmer), sirsak (Indonesia), zuurzak (Dutch), tomoko (Kiswahili), and nangka londa. In Tamil, Malayalam, it is called Mullatha, literally thorny custard apple. The other lesser-known Indian names are shul-Ram-fal and Lakshman Phala, and in Harar (Ethiopia) in Harari language known for centuries as Amba Shoukh (Thorny Mango or Thorny Fruit) and Annuni in Somali.
The flavor has been described as a combination of strawberry and pineapple, with sour citrus flavour notes contrasting with an underlying creamy flavour reminiscent of coconut or banana. Soursop is widely promoted (sometimes as “graviola”) as an alternative cancer treatment. There is, however, no medical evidence that it is effective