Dairibord’s baobab gets global innovation award

DAIRIBORD Zimbabwe Limited, Cascade baobab dairy fruit juice emerged as one of the top three finalists in the dairy innovations awards held at the International Dairy Federation (IDF) summit in Chicago, USA.

The product was nominated under the Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Socioeconomic category where it held its own against other strong brands from across the world.

IDF dairy innovation awards are designed to encourage and celebrate innovative practices across the dairy sector and their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The milk processor is one of the local food and beverages processors fronting the indigenous fruits commercialisation drive in Zimbabwe as it launched the baobab dairy fruit juice last year.

According to IDF the idea of combining dairy and baobab, the formulation of a product that is perfectly balanced and appeals to a wider section of the market, and delivering natural fortification to consumers spurred the product’s innovation recognition.

Dairibord’s beneficiation of baobab has since stimulated thoughts in a number of local companies as they strive to integrate indigenous fruits in the production of various foods and beverages for domestic and export markets.

Also known by its scientific name “Adansonia digitata” baobab fruit is rich in ascorbic acid, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants.

The kernels of the fruit are a good source of energy, protein, fat, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Baobab fruit was declared a superfood in 2015 and hundreds of baobab pulp tonnes have been exported to America and Europe.

The fruit is readily available in the arid areas of Zimbabwe and Dairibord is making the most of its procurement from Chirundu, Chipinge, and Birchenough.In an interview, Dairibord chief executive officer Mrs Mercy Ndoro said the award was a recognition of the company’s commitment to innovation, and coming up with game-changing ideas that impact positively on the business.

“This award is a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of empowering the marginalised. Our innovation with Baobab was in combining its pulp with milk into a balanced dairy and natural native fruit juice blend. Baobab makes use of real pulp which is 100 percent organically certified.

“Through Cascade Baobab, Dairibord is now the biggest consumer of baobab pulp in the world. It is the first of its kind in the country and the region involving the successful commercialization of wild fruit and benefitting marginalised communities.

The product innovation has made a positive impact and improved the livelihoods of communities contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mrs Ndoro.

The Government is on record saying local manufacturing firms and learning institutions should seriously consider adopting and implementing heritage-based education to have a competitive edge when exporting into regional and international markets.

Through the education 5.0 drive, local universities and tertiary institutions are making strides in engaging in the production of products that are readily needed in the export markets.

Commercialisation of indigenous fruits is slowly gaining momentum in Zimbabwe, in 2021 government through the National Biotechnology Authority set up a mapfura/marula fruit factory at Rutenga growth point in Masvingo.

In 2020, the global market for baobab powder was estimated at US$6 billion and is projected to reach a revised value of US$8, 5 billion by 2027.

Recently officiating at the just-ended ZimTrade annual exporters conference held in Harare, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira exhorted local manufacturing firms and learning institutions to maximise the use of indigenous resources in order to have a competitive edge when exporting into regional and international markets.

“Every country has its own unique heritage, thus heritage-based export of unique products is a sure way of being competitive on the export market, it is our source of competitive advantage,” said Minister Murwira.

Dairibord head of branding, corporate affairs, research and development, Ruvarashe Matambo said her company was considering cultivation of more baobab tree species in the country.

“As a business, we have baobab conservation initiatives in place, partnering organisations and societies for the reseeding of the plant through the distribution of baobab mud balls to different parts of the country, something that has been successfully done in West Africa,” she said

The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are designed to demonstrate the engagement and dynamism of the dairy sector worldwide, offering a unique platform to showcase innovative processes, practices, and products that improve efficiency and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are hosted by the International Dairy Federation in partnership with world-leading food and drinks consultancy Zenith Global.-herald