By: Sene Gebre

Economic Botany13, Mar. 2008

Could Teff Be Used As An Alternative Crop?

What is Teff ?

Eragrostis tefAncient in its origin (between4000-1000BC)Native to Ethiopian highlands of northeastern

AfricaAmharic word “Teffa” meaning “lost”Grass crop that produces grainHas seeds much smaller than wheat grain

BotanyFamily; Poeceae, and genus EragrostisMore than 300 species of the genusAnnual cerealGrain contained in the spikelets

Contains both the bran and germ Shallow and fibrous root systemMostly erect stemsMonocot seeds

UsesPrimarily cultivated & used in Ethiopia, India

and Australia. Primarily used as main ingredient for Injera

(Ethiopian bread)Injera provides two-thirds of the diet in

EthiopiaTeff straw is used as forage for animals such as cattles

Harvesting

Threshing: separating teff grains from straw (left)Winnowing: Separating teff grains from their

chaff (right)Teff flour is obtained by grinding after harvest

Types of Teff-Three main flour types in Ethiopia

-White, Red and Brown teff flour

-White Teff* preferred type* most expensive

-Red teff*least expensive*has higher Iron content

-Brown teff*moderate Iron content

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Preparation of Injera

Mixing Flour with waterFermentation process for few daysBaking batter on electric stove or traditional clay plate placed on fire

*Injera is eaten daily nearly in every household in Ethiopia.

*Injera can be compared to pancakes or tortillas

Nutrition

Nearly gluten freeGood for people with Celiac disease High in Iron and essential amino-acids

Iron: carrier of oxygen in the form of hemoglobin

Iron from Teff easily absorbed by the bodyLysine levels higher than wheat or barley

Essential amino-acidMetabolized to acetyl-CoA

As An Alternative Crop

Introduction to other countries (U.S., S.Africa.)

Wayne Carlson The Teff company in IdahoGrows in water clogged soils and

environment with moisture stress.

Conclusion

- Can be used along with wheat and barley grains

- provides the body with essential amino acids

- Not much research has been done on Teff because it is nota popular plant in the world.

- With enough research performed on its nutrition, Teff could be used as an alternative crop to other cereals.

References

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/v2-231.htmlwww.rrc.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?

DocumentID=2258http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teffhttp://www.teffco.com/teff_history.htmlhttp://www.bioversityinternational.org/Publications/Pdf/279.pdfhttp://ethnomed.org/ethnomed/cultures/ethiop/teff.html

Thank You for your attention!