A fascinating aspect in the story of broccoli’s journey to different parts of the world is that Kenya introduced it to India. In the early eighties, a farmer by the name Jitendra Ladkat was on a mission to expand his crop variety and set out to Israel to find more seedlings. With no luck at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, he proceeded to Africa where he had heard of the glory of Kenya’s fertile land. Here, he purchased his first 500 broccoli seedlings and returned home to put them to the test. The rest, as they say, is history.
Broccoli is a vegetable that stands out for its incredible quality of allowing farmers to reap more than they sow. Unlike many other farm crops, plants can be harvested several times during the growing season. The market for broccoli locally isn’t as lucrative as it is internationally. However, times are changing and broccoli farmers are on a journey to profits at home and abroad.
A member of the Brassica plant family, alongside Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower and cabbage, broccoli remains a unique vegetable. Unlike cabbage, it forms green curds – as opposed to a head – and has great dietary value. Broccoli is rich in vitamins C and K as well as fibre in each stem. This makes it a great vegetable for the prevention of constipation. Furthermore contains sulforaphane and certain amino acids which aid in detoxifying the body. Researchers describe sulforaphane as a wonder compound that can rid excess oestrogen from the body and thus prevent breast and uterine cancer.
The growth of broccoli requires patience and plenty of water. Molybdenum – a mineral element in neutral to slightly alkaline soil is essential in the growth of this green flower. A ready market is also important to ensure your frequent harvests are distributed in a timely fashion.
While we’re responsible for the introduction of broccoli to India, Kenya presently exports the vegetable to the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar, Dubai and Somalia.
Any broccoli recipes you’ve enjoyed and would love to share with us?
