Cuba hosts workshop on African flower

 HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 27 (ACN) The National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA) in the province of Mayabeque announced a two-day workshop on the Roselle flower—a herbaceous plant rich in vitamins A, C, B1, E and minerals such as iron, phosphate and calcium—expected to gather 100 Cuban and foreign researchers, producers and businesspeople.

Focused on topics such as agro-technical improvement and management, agricultural extension and local development, circular economy approaches, medicinal properties and marketing, the event will give participants interested in this famous shrub an opportunity to share views, outline strategies and sign cooperation or business agreements.

Roselle, also known as Jamaica sorrel or Abyssinian rose, is a tall, okra-like herb native to tropical Africa, from Egypt and Sudan to Senegal and, on account of its medicinal properties, cultivated in Mexico, Central America and South and Southeast Asia, including southern China. Indeed, 100 grams of edible portion contain: 1.1% protein; 2.6% fat; 12% fiber; 6.90% ash; 1.2 mg of iron; 0.029 mg of carotenes; and 0.11 mg of thiamine.

INCA has long used the induction of mutations to generate genetic variability in some economically important crops in Cuba, including Roselle.