Date-fruits and the value chains

Dates popularly known as dibino among the Hausa  and botanically called phonex dacylifera is a fruit obtained from the date palm tree. The date palm tree is the oldest fruit bearing tree on earth. They are extensively produced and consumed in the Middle East, West Africa, and Asia and also in North Africa over the […]

Dates popularly known as dibino among the Hausa  and botanically called phonex dacylifera is a fruit obtained from the date palm tree. The date palm tree is the oldest fruit bearing tree on earth. They are extensively produced and consumed in the Middle East, West Africa, and Asia and also in North Africa over the millennia. 
The date palm originated from Mesopotamia and Egypt. These are the regions from which plantation was first described and where fossil remains of cultivated areas were found. The main date producing countries of the world are Algeria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, while in the Sahel, are Dakar/Senegal to Lake Chad and Sudan.
In Nigeria, some of the common places where dates plantation can be found include Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa among others. 
Today, dates are enjoyed all over the world in various forms due to its nutritious value. Dates come in different species/variety and are consumed fresh, dry, pitted, and candied, in sweet dishes, savory dishes, and cookies, among others. 
Nutritional benefits 
Dates contains natural fibre and a lot of other nutrients like oil, calcium, magnesium and more.
 Health experts said dates are easily digestible and contain simple sugar like glucose, fructose and dextrose which are sources of instant energy. Dates are rich in indigestible fibre and can be a good laxative effective in treatment of constipation.
Dates are said to have no cholesterol and low in fat, but the fibre in it binds to low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in the gut and stops it absorption in the small intestine.
Experts also say dates are a very good health food that contains some classes of food such as vitamins, minerals and proteins. They are a nutritious tonic and should be part of our diet.  
Global importance 
Other benefits from the dates value chains are that the seeds are soaked and ground for animal feeds.
 Dates can be used for cooking, commonly used to prepare porridge, e.g. in Libya. It is also used to produce local drink among the Hausas in Nigeria, popularly known as kunun aya where dates are added as component to enhance taste.          
Important facts about date palm tree
Date palm tree is the oldest fruit bearing tree on earth. It normally takes four to eight years after planting to bear fruits. The fruits ripen in six month after pollination; and it does that in four stages. Date palm leaves are pinnate up to 7m long.
Written by Dennis Kefas Dibal, a 200 level student of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.