The Ramón is an abundant tree in Mexico and Latin America. It could be an ally in the fight against hunger and climate change.
Nature is always generous and never ceases to amaze us with everything it gives us. This is the case of the Ramón tree, a species that will help Mexico fight hunger and climate change. Currently, this tree species is on the list of specimens with which young scholarship holders are reforesting the Mexican southeast.
According to data from the Mexican government, the Sembrando Vida program has managed to sow 5,000 hectares with the intention of reviving the life of the Mexican countryside during 2019. It should be clarified that this program not only seeks industrialization of rural areas, it also includes traditional knowledge for the care of the earth.
It is here, where the ramón tree has a leading role. We tell you about its wonders.
The Ramón tree, a wonder of nature
The ramón, whose scientific name is Brosimum alicastrum, grows abundantly in the states of the Mexican coasts, excluding only the states of the Baja California peninsula. However, the multiple properties of this treasure are unknown to most. Among them is its ecological and energy importance, as well as being a food source for animals and humans.
The Ramón can reach 45 meters in height and has unisexual flowers. Its fruit is an edible drupe that measures 2 to 3 centimeters and has a sweet and pleasant flavor.
Ramón seeds are rich in protein and are liked by animals such as wild boar and deer. In addition, its leaves can be used as food for chickens, rabbits, and oxen, being 100% organic and reducing costs compared to foods such as alfalfa.
The breadnut is rich in calcium, zinc, magnesium and potassium, it is also multivitamin containing folic acid and.
For human consumption, the seeds can be eaten alone or mixed with corn to make tortillas. They can also be eaten with honey and other fruits, roasted substitute for coffee, or as flour for bread. The pulp of the ramón fruit is used to prepare jams, while its latex serves as a substitute for milk.
An ally against climate change and deforestation
On the other hand, ramón is an excellent air purification agent, since it effectively retains carbon dioxide. Due to its high resistance to drought and its generous foliage production, it also helps preserve the wildlife of the jungles.
Another reason why this tree can be transformed into an alternative to the environment is that it can cope with desertification. In cases like the state of Yucatán, where there are infertile soils, the ramón is capable of raising several layers of soil to survive.
As a consequence, the ramón is a great alternative to face the fight against poverty and to help the soil regeneration. According to Conacyt research, a hectare with 400 tree individuals can produce 92 tons of foliage, each with a price close to five hundred pesos. Due to its low cost, ramón is an important food alternative for people with limited resources, for the agricultural industry, and to face the problems derived from global warming.
Source: mexicodesconocido.com.mx
