Production and Challenges of gum arabic in Ethiopia: Review

Abstract

In Ethiopia gum arabic are collected from A. senegal and A. seyal, having large potential for production. However, obtaining precise quantitative information on actual annual production by gum type in the country is difficult because of poor documentation, parallel trade across borders and lack of forest product control offices. The aim of this review is to present the current existing situation of gum arabic production and its challenge in dry lands of Ethiopia and suggest possible measures. The review data has been obtained from electronic web knowledge, Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct databases. The study indicated that, gum arabic production mainly from natural exudates and tapping practices. Collection from natural exudates, tapping practices reduces and increases the quality and quantity of gum arabic product respectively. Many analyses show that, around 30,000 metric tons per year of natural gum production potential in Ethiopia. The contribution of gum arabic collection can be employment, income diversification, use as emergency food and support livestock production. Moreover, it could be help to fight against desertification and soil erosion, conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, improve soil fertility and provide opportunity for carbon sink. However, the problems of gum arebic are lack of infrastructure, deforestation, overgrazing resettlement, human induce fire, land use change, lack of quality awareness, uncontrolled trade and a sluggish transaction in export trade. Finally, the stockholders involvement need as intervention for maximization of gum arabic production, commercialization and farther value add processing in the country.

Keywords: Acacia senegal, Acacia seyal, Gum arabic, production